Source: Agency Report

Ms Kaltum-Ahmed said on 30 June, the ministry received reports of multiple students presenting with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting

Children in a hospital used to illustrate the story [PHOTO CREDIT: wbur.org]

Diarrhoea Outbreak: 15 Kaduna Schoolgirls Recover and Resume Classes

Kaduna State, Nigeria – The Kaduna State Government has confirmed that 15 female students who were hospitalized due to a recent diarrhoea outbreak at the Government Girls Senior and Junior Secondary School, Kawo, have fully recovered and resumed school.

The announcement was made by State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

What Happened?

On 30th June, the Ministry of Health received reports of multiple students presenting symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. In response, a State Rapid Response Team (RRT) — led by State Epidemiologist Jeremiah Diako, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners — was quickly deployed to contain the outbreak.

Key findings from the investigation:

• 81 students were affected
• Ages ranged between 16 and 17 years
• 15 students required hospital admission
• No fatalities were recorded

Dr. Kaltum-Ahmed confirmed that the situation was now under control, with students resuming normal activities while being closely monitored.

Preventive Measures Recommended

The commissioner stressed the importance of proactive hygiene and sanitation practices to avoid future outbreaks in schools and communities. Key recommendations include:

Hygiene & Sanitation

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water
• Use of alcohol-based sanitisers
• Environmental sanitation in schools, homes, and public spaces
• Clean and functional school kitchens, toilets, and drainage systems

Water & Food Safety

• Boil, chlorinate, or treat drinking water
• Thoroughly cook meat, eggs, and vegetables
• Train food handlers in hygiene and safe food preparation
• Proper waste disposal to prevent contamination

Illness Management

• Students or staff with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms end

End Open Defecation

The commissioner urged communities to promote the use of clean latrines and eliminate open defecation, which contributes to the spread of diseases.

Community Collaboration Needed

Dr. Kaltum-Ahmed called on school administrators, community leaders, local health teams, and residents to work together to implement the outlined preventive measures.

“The Ministry of Health remains fully committed to protecting the health and safety of students and the broader population. We appreciate the rapid support of our health partners and thank all stakeholders involved in managing this outbreak,” she said.