In a heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged a family into mourning and sent shockwaves across the Hotoron Yan Dodo community in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, four out of five children from a single household have d!ed from diphtheria within the span of two weeks
Speaking to Daily Post, the devastated father of the children, Malam Yusuf Maitama, recounted with tears how his children fell ill one after the other, showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, nasal discharge, and the appearance of a white membrane in the throat, classic signs of diphtheria. However, the family initially did not recognize the deadly disease.
The first to fall ill was the youngest child, a girl under five years of age.
“She woke up with a fever, sore throat, catarrh, and a visible white substance in her throat,” Malam Yusuf explained.
“We tried to manage it at home, but her condition worsened. She became very weak, so we rushed her to the hospital. Sadly, she died the same day.”
Just days later, her seven-year-old sister showed similar symptoms. Despite being taken to the hospital, she too passed away within two days.
“That was the second child in one week. At first, people even suggested maybe it was spiritual. But doctors confirmed it was diphtheria. That’s when I realized the rest of my kids were at serious risk,” he said in tears.
According to Malam Yusuf, the other three children were also tested and all three were found to be infected, two more died.
The eldest daughter survived after receiving urgent medical attention.
“The third victim passed away seven days after her sisters. She had already been admitted to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where doctors said one of her kidneys was failing. But due to a lack of available hospital beds, we had to take her home temporarily. She died that very night,” he said, emotionally drained.
Malam Yusuf couldn’t tell us the names of his children due to the deep distress he’s in as it was just two days since the passing of the last child — the fourth. The family is still in mourning, and this is his first interview with any media outlet since the tragedy occurred.
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