Diphtheria Outbreak Kills School Children in Imo

A deadly diphtheria outbreak has struck Mbutu Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, claiming the lives of several school children and forcing the immediate shutdown of schools in the area.

Local authorities confirmed the outbreak in a statement issued on May 26 by the Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe. While the exact number of fatalities has yet to be officially confirmed, the incident has prompted swift action from state health officials, the World Health Organization (WHO), and local health workers.

An isolation centre has been set up at the Mbutu Health Centre to contain the spread of the disease. Health officials are now urging parents to vaccinate their children without delay, emphasizing the critical importance of routine immunisation against diphtheria.

The outbreak has raised public health concerns across the state, with calls for heightened awareness and strengthened preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations.