A family in the Hotoron Yan Dodo community of Kano State has been devastated after four of their five children died from a diphtheria outbreak within just two weeks.
The children’s father, Malam Yusuf Maitama, recounted the heartbreaking ordeal, explaining how his children fell ill one after another.
The symptoms—fever, sore throat, nasal discharge, and a characteristic white membrane in the throat—were classic signs of diphtheria, though the family initially did not recognize the severity of the illness.
The youngest child, a girl under five years old, was the first to fall ill.
“She woke up with fever, sore throat, catarrh, and a visible white patch in her throat,” Malam Yusuf said.
The family tried to care for her at home, but as her condition worsened, they rushed her to the hospital. Tragically, she died the same day.
Just days later, her seven-year-old sister developed similar symptoms and passed away within two days of hospitalization.
“That was the second child lost in one week,” the grieving father said.
“At first, some thought it might be spiritual, but doctors confirmed it was diphtheria. That’s when I realized my other children were also at risk.”
The remaining three children were tested and found to be infected as well.
Two more succumbed to the disease, leaving only the eldest daughter alive after urgent medical care.
The father shared the painful loss of the third child.
“She passed away seven days after her sisters while admitted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Doctors said one of her kidneys was failing,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
“Because there were no available hospital beds, we had to take her home temporarily. She died that very night.”
