Parents raise concerns over diphtheria outbreak at King’s college, Lagos

Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos, have expressed deep concern over a suspected diphtheria outbreak that has led to the hospitalization of several students.

Speaking in separate interviews on Sunday, March 9, in Lagos, some parents attributed the situation to poor sanitary conditions within the school.

They criticized the school management for failing to take swift action or provide timely communication regarding the outbreak.

One concerned parent, who chose to remain anonymous, accused the administration of neglect and inaction, stating that the lack of urgency in addressing the health crisis has only heightened fears among families.

Parents are now calling on the school authorities and health officials to take immediate measures to contain the situation and ensure the safety of all students.

“If there are no cases, why are the students mandated to wear nose masks and some of them taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment?” the parent said.

“We heard that officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were in the school yesterday (March 8), to sensitise the students to preventive measures against diphtheria disease. Why is the school secretive about the issue? Parents had complained several times about the poor environmental sanitation of the school and toilets, including food given to the students. Students even complain about some members of the food committee and what they do. A few weeks ago, some parents raised concerns that their children had fallen sick and were diagnosed with diphtheria at the hospital.

“Even, some PTA excos don’t like parents to openly complain about such. Last week, the school sent a message to parents to sign a consent form that would enable their children to receive diphtheria vaccines on the school premises.”

A copy of the consent form obtained revealed that the routine immunization was carried out by the school in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through the Eti-Osa Local Government.

Expressing concern over the school’s healthcare facilities, a parent criticized the poor state of the college clinic, emphasizing the urgent need for a resident medical doctor to ensure proper medical attention for students.

Meanwhile, two other parents disclosed that their sons were hospitalized and treated for diphtheria in December, further raising fears about the school’s health standards and response to infectious diseases.

“It was by GOD’S grace that my son survived. I was called to pick him up. He complained of sore throat. His neck was swollen and he had high fever. When we got to the hospital, he was on admission for over a week. Infact, there was another student who was hospitalised for same ailment the same time, but he didn’t pull through,” one of the parents said.

She urged the school and other institutions to implement stricter preventive measures while ensuring that students receive regular education on disease prevention and hygiene practices.

“They are still children, most of them restless and full of play. They need constant supervision especially in their toilet, washing, eating and recreational habits,” she said.

Parents called on the Federal Government to enhance infrastructure in schools, particularly by improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

They also stressed the need for better teaching quality, improved staff attitudes, and higher educational standards, especially in unity schools across the country.

Meanwhile, a relative of one of the students hospitalized at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Saturday, March 8, shared concerns about the situation.

“Let’s keep praying for the children. My sister is panicking and distraught especially since she heard a student died from the disease in December. I believe that all will be well. However, the Federal Government and schools management should look more into improving the standards of KCL and indeed all unity schools. The PTA should work to better the lot of schools and students and not cover up things that aren’t right. These schools are very good and should not be allowed to continously fall below standards all round,” the relative said.

Responding to the situation, the Public Relations Officer of the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), Ngozi Ogbonna, urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that measures were being taken to manage the issue.

In a message to parents titled ‘Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College,’ Ogbonna stated that the school management and the PTA executive committee were working together to contain the situation and ensure the safety of students.

“As part of their efforts, the management and PTA EXCO met and contacted the relevant government health agencies, who, in collaboration, advised that booster doses of vaccines should be administered to the students. However, some of the students who manifested symptoms have been isolated, taken to LUTH for diagnosis and results awaited,” Ogbonna wrote.

“Other students who manifest symptoms subsequently would be taken to LUTH accordingly, and parents contacted for follow-up. Delegates of the World Health Organisation visited the Annex Campus this evening to play their own role in controlling the situation. On this note, we, therefore, implore parents to remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control. We shall overcome.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes diphtheria as a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The disease produces a toxin that damages the respiratory tract and can spread throughout the body, causing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.

While diphtheria can affect individuals of all ages, unvaccinated children are most vulnerable.

WHO warns that overcrowded living conditions increase the risk of transmission but emphasizes that early medical intervention significantly reduces the chances of severe complications or death.

Prevention primarily relies on vaccination, with WHO recommending a total of six doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines, typically administered alongside tetanus and pertussis vaccines, beginning at six weeks of age and continuing through adolescence to ensure long-term immunity.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that the country is still battling an ongoing diphtheria outbreak.

Between Epidemiological Week 19 of 2022 and Week 4 of 2025, a total of 41,336 suspected cases have been recorded across 37 states.