The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has conducted an inspection of King’s College Annex in Victoria Island following a recent outbreak of diphtheria in the school.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, was led by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi. The inspection was part of an emergency response to prevent further spread of the disease among students and staff.
The government’s swift action came after reports surfaced about the presence of diphtheria in the school. Health officials, alongside WHO representatives, assessed critical areas within the school premises, including the dining hall, kitchen, dormitories, and toilets.
Health Authorities Take Action
Speaking to students during the visit, Prof. Abayomi assured them that the government was taking the outbreak seriously and had put measures in place to contain the disease. He stressed the importance of hygiene and improved sanitary conditions in classrooms, dormitories, and other shared spaces within the school.
The commissioner revealed that 14 students who showed symptoms of diphtheria had been taken to the hospital and were responding well to treatment. He further explained that the vaccination exercise being carried out in the school involved a booster shot that combined diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
Teachers, house officers, and all other staff members at the school were also scheduled to receive the vaccination to protect them from possible infection.
Efforts to Stop the Spread
To ensure the safety of students, Prof. Abayomi advised school authorities to improve ventilation and spacing in classrooms and dormitories. He also urged parents not to panic, reassuring them that keeping students in school under controlled conditions was a better approach to managing the outbreak.
Some parents had initially hesitated to give their consent for their children to be vaccinated. The commissioner appealed to them to allow their wards to receive the vaccine, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease from spreading further.
Understanding Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, especially when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease produces a toxin that damages the respiratory tract and can affect other parts of the body.
Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, sore throat, and swelling of the neck glands. While it can affect people of all ages, children who have not been vaccinated are particularly vulnerable.
According to the WHO, overcrowding in living spaces increases the risk of infection. However, early detection and timely medical intervention significantly reduce the chances of severe complications or death.
Government and WHO’s Commitment
The Lagos State Government and WHO have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public health by tackling the diphtheria outbreak swiftly. The inspection of King’s College Annex is one of several steps being taken to ensure that students remain safe and that further spread of the disease is prevented.
Health authorities have encouraged parents across the state to ensure their children are up to date on their vaccinations. They have also advised schools to maintain high hygiene standards to reduce the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
The government has assured residents that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and respond promptly to any new developments. The health commissioner also stated that surveillance teams had been deployed to other schools to check for any possible cases and ensure that similar outbreaks are prevented.
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