GUSAU, NIGERIA– The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has validated 44 fatalities arising from a diphtheria break out affecting numerous city government locations across the state.
Offering an upgrade in a telephone interview in Gusau on Monday, September 14, 2026, the State Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske, revealed that 367 clinically believed cases have been recorded.
Laboratory tests carried out on patient samples sent out to the National Referral Lab in Abuja confirmed the presence of the diphtheria-causing bacterium.
Following verification of the outbreak, Guv Dauda Lawal directed the instant activation of the state’s Incident Management System and Rapid Action Teams throughout all 14 city government locations to collaborate containment and case management.
Education Ministry Postpones School Resumption to September 28
Performing on advisory directives from the Ministry of Health, the Zamfara State Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation revealed a two-week post ponement of school resumption for all public and private basic and secondary schools.
Revealing the decision in Gusau, the Commissioner for Education, Mallam Abdulmalik Gajam, mentioned that the hold-up is necessary to protect students, educators, and the more comprehensive school neighborhood while health authorities heighten contact tracing, vaccination checks, and campus decontamination.
“The choice follows the most recent health advisory from the Ministry of Health on the prevailing diphtheria scenario in the state and is focused on safeguarding the health and wellbeing of pupils, students, instructors, and the wider school neighborhood,” Gajam specified.
“The extension will permit health and education authorities to enhance disease monitoring, contact tracing, vaccination confirmation, public sensitisation, and other preventive measures before schools resume.”
The Ministry of Education announced Monday, September 28, 2026, as the tentative brand-new resumption date for the academic term, subject to joint review and clearance advisories from health officials.
School heads across the state have actually been advised to utilise the extended closure to disinfect school facilities and established functional handwashing stations.