Just In: Lagos Govt Mobilises Emergency Response as Diphtheria Outbreak Hits King’s College

The Lagos State Government has activated its Emergency Response Committee following a confirmed outbreak of diphtheria at the King’s College boarding house in Victoria Island Annex.

The outbreak, which has already claimed the life of a 12-year-old student, has prompted swift intervention from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, with containment measures now in place to prevent further spread.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, assured the public that the situation is under control and urged residents to remain calm.

"There is no cause for panic. We have swiftly activated containment measures to protect the public," Abayomi said in a statement on Monday, March 11.

First Case and Emergency Response

The first identified case involved a 12-year-old boy who developed a sore throat and fever on February 22. He was admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and received antibiotic treatment and diphtheria antitoxin serum.

However, despite medical intervention, the boy succumbed to severe heart inflammation (myocarditis) on March 6, a known complication of diphtheria.

Following his death, health officials immediately placed 34 individuals who had close contact with him under medical observation.

"Out of these, 14 exhibited symptoms consistent with diphtheria and were taken to LUTH for further screening," Abayomi revealed.

Twelve of the affected students were confirmed to have early signs of diphtheria and were admitted for treatment. So far, no new cases have been reported, and all 14 symptomatic students are responding well to treatment.

Vaccination Drive and Infection Control Measures

An initial inspection of the King’s College Annex revealed gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols.

"We will immediately begin strengthening IPC measures in the school to reduce further risk," Abayomi stated.

In collaboration with federal health agencies, the Lagos State Government will also launch a targeted vaccination campaign for all students at both the Victoria Island Annex and the Main School in Igbosere.

"We have approximately 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccine available, which will be strategically deployed to high-risk locations," he added.

To raise public awareness, health education materials detailing diphtheria symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options will be distributed across healthcare facilities in Lagos.

Health Advisory and Prevention Measures

Lagosians have been urged to prioritise hygiene, avoid overcrowded environments, and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms such as:

✅ Sore throat

✅ Fever

✅ Difficulty breathing

✅ Swollen neck glands

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the throat and respiratory system. If untreated, it can cause severe complications, including heart failure and breathing difficulties.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) are working closely with Lagos State to coordinate an effective response to the outbreak.

The Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre will hold daily meetings to monitor developments and implement policy decisions to curb the spread of the disease.

Lagos Reporters 

Lassa Fever Hits Lagos As Govt Calls For Calm...Advises On Safety Precautions

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos has recorded a case of the Lassa Hemorrhagic fever which has been reported to be raging in over 19 States in the country.

Commissioner for Health Prof, Akin Abayomi who disclosed this today confirmed that the patient is currently in isolation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Abayomi while noting that the situation is under control called on residents to be calm and not panic, assuring thatState government in active collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is doing everything possible to control the spread of the disease in Lagos State.

“The Ministry of Health through Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health Directorate is currently carrying out ‘contact tracing’ to determine those who may have been infected in line with international standards while we beef up our other surveillance strategies “, he said.

Abayomi reiterated the need for members of the public to ensure and maintain adequate personal hygiene and environmental sanitation at all times as part of prevention and control measures against the spread of the disease in the State

He averred that that the prevention and control of the disease remains a shared responsibility of all citizens through observance of the highest possible standards of personal and community hygiene as well as environmental sanitation.

The urged residents to store house-hold refuse in sanitary refuse bags or dust bins with tight-fitting covers to avoid infestation by rats and rodents; dispose refuse properly at designated dump sites and not into the drainage system and store food items in rodent-proof containers. He added that it is by so doing that a habitable and conducive environment, and a disease-free State can be achieved.

“Members of the public are further advised to avoid contact with rats, to always cover their food and water properly, cook all their food thoroughly, as well as block all holes in the septic tanks and holes through which rats can enter the house and clear rat hideouts within the premises”, he said.

While outlining strategies put in place by the State government to control the disease, the Commissioner explained that the Lagos State is maintaining relevant surveillance activities through its disease surveillance officers at local government level to prevent the spread of the disease in Lagos.  

“Isolation wards have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases,drugs and other materials have also been prepositioned at designated facilities while health workers have been placed on red alert and community sensitization activities intensified”, Abayomi noted. 

The Commissioner advised health workers, both in the public and private hospitals in the State to ensure that they observe universal safety precautions and comply with infection prevention and control measures when dealing with patients, stressing that appropriate personal protective equipment like hand gloves, facemasks, goggles and overalls must be worn when attending to cases.

“Hands must be washed often with soap and running water or application of hand sanitizers after each contact with patients or contaminated materials and instruments must be autoclaved. Also hospital mattresses must be covered with plastic sheets to prevent contamination”, Abayomi added.

He stated that a case of Lassa Fever should be suspected in any person with persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever or bleeding from bodysurface.

The Commissioner urged health workers as well as citizens to report suspected case or cases of the disease to the nearest government approved health facility, the Ministry of Health or call the emergency operation centre lines - 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243.

“I would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are very high and we are putting more measures in place to safe guard the State”, Abayomi note