By Esi-ife Arogundade
The Lagos State government have confirmed 14 cases of diphtheria at King’s College Annex, Victoria Island, alongside one reported fatality.
Health Commissioner, Akin Abayomi confirmed the outbreak on March 11, 2025, while spreading facilities at the 116-year-old college.
Accompanied by key health officials, including Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health, and Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, Permanent Secretary of Lagos Health District III, Abayomi assessed the situation at the school, focusing on dormitories, classrooms, kitchens, and sanitary areas to manage hygiene and curb the spread of the bacterial infection.
“We are facing a public health challenge, but we are taking all the necessary steps to contain this outbreak,” Prof Abayomi stated. He noted that the outbreak had been ongoing for over ten days before it was officially recognized.
Affected students have begun receiving medical treatment, including antibiotics and diphtheria antiserum, as the highly contagious infection primarily spreads through airborne droplets in crowded environments.
In response to the outbreak, the state has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign, targeting all students and staff at King’s College. However, vaccinations will require parental consent.
“We are here to strengthen immunity. While children are typically vaccinated against diphtheria as infants, the vaccine’s efficacy diminishes over time, and a booster is essential to protect them from future exposure,” Abayomi explained.
The Commissioner also reassured parents regarding vaccine safety, stating that any potential side effects would be mild and manageable.
Meanwhile, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stated that four students had been admitted for treatment and were currently stable.
Authorities are encouraging parents to keep their children in school to prevent further spread of the disease, with Prof Abayomi emphasizing, “This school is now operating like an isolation centre.” In addition, the state government is reviewing hygiene standards across schools and plans to implement new policies to prevent future outbreaks.
“This is a wake-up call. We will strengthen measures to ensure that our schools maintain proper hygiene and sanitation to prevent further occurrences of diphtheria,” he added.
Parents are advised to remain vigilant for symptoms of diphtheria, which include a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and difficulty breathing.
