Tragedy as Kano grieving father recounts losing four daughters to diphtheria in two weeks

In a heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged a family into mourning and sent shockwaves across the Hotoron Yan Dodo community in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, four out of five children from a single household have died from diphtheria within the span of two weeks.

the devastated father of the children, Malam Yusuf Maitama, recounted with tears how his children fell ill one after the other, showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, nasal discharge, and the appearance of a white membrane in the throat, classic signs of diphtheria. However, the family initially did not recognize the deadly disease.

The first to fall ill was the youngest child, a girl under five years of age.

“She woke up with a fever, sore throat, catarrh, and a visible white substance in her throat,” Malam Yusuf explained.

“We tried to manage it at home, but her condition worsened. She became very weak, so we rushed her to the hospital. Sadly, she died the same day.”

Just days later, her seven-year-old sister showed similar symptoms. Despite being taken to the hospital, she too passed away within two days.

“That was the second child in one week. At first, people even suggested maybe it was spiritual. But doctors confirmed it was diphtheria. That’s when I realized the rest of my kids were at serious risk,” he said in tears.

According to Malam Yusuf, the other three children were also tested and all three were found to be infected, two more died. The eldest daughter survived after receiving urgent medical attention.

“The third victim passed away seven days after her sisters. She had already been admitted to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where doctors said one of her kidneys was failing. But due to a lack of available hospital beds, we had to take her home temporarily. She died that very night,” he said, emotionally drained.

Malam Yusuf couldn’t tell us the names of his children due to the deep distress he’s in as it was just two days since the passing of the last child — the fourth. The family is still in mourning, and this is his first interview with any media outlet since the tragedy occurred.

Now, fear and sorrow have gripped not just Malam Yusuf’s household, but the entire community. Residents, particularly those with young children, live in anxiety. Some health officials have since visited the area, fumigated the house, and administered vaccinations to other children in the vicinity.

This is not the first time diphtheria has had a devastated effect on a single family in Kano. In 2024, three children from one family in Gaida, Kumbotso LGA, died of the disease within one week.

the Kano State Ministry of Health and requested an update on the government’s response to the virulent infection.

Spokesperson, Nablusi Abubakar Kofar Naisa confirmed that most of the children dying from diphtheria had not been vaccinated.

“If you hear of a death, it’s likely the child was not vaccinated. That’s the main issue we’re dealing with. This is why we urge parents to take their children for free immunization — it doesn’t cost a thing,” he said.

“The Kano government is making every effort to combat this disease, including designating a special hospital specifically for treating children affected by it. In addition, all other hospitals are also attending to patients with this condition, conducting tests, and providing free treatment. Vaccinations are also ongoing in these hospitals,” he added.

Despite ongoing efforts from health authorities, diphtheria remains a major threat to children’s lives in Kano, one of the most affected States in Nigeria.

In 2023, the Kano State government announced an outbreak of diphtheria, with over 10,000 children infected and nearly 1,000 deaths recorded. Since then, the battle against the disease has continued — sometimes it subsides, and other times it resurges, due to factors like weather conditions and lack of adequate vaccination.

Vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria continue to claim lives in Kano — not due to a lack of solutions, but because of delayed hospital visits, cultural beliefs, and weak healthcare infrastructure.

A recent study published by the National Library of Medicine in July 2025 revealed a Diptheria case fatality rate of 4.5%. The study found that unvaccinated patients had more than double the risk of dying compared to those fully vaccinated. Patients without vaccination records had an 87% increased risk of death.

As Kano mourns yet another diphtheria tragedy, health authorities call on parents to take their children for vaccination and to immediately take them to the hospital at the first signs of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, swollen throat, or difficulty in breathing.

These are the ways their children can be saved from death.