Parents Express Concern Over Suspected Diphtheria Outbreak At King’s College, Lagos.
Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have raised concerns over a suspected outbreak of diphtheria in the school, which has reportedly led to the hospitalisation of some students.
Several parents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, attributed the situation to poor sanitary conditions within the school. They criticised the management for its perceived lack of transparency and slow response to the crisis.
Parents Demand Answers
A parent, who requested anonymity, questioned the school’s silence on the issue, noting that students had been mandated to wear nose masks and that some had been taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment.
“If there are no cases, why were students required to wear masks, and why were some taken to LUTH?” the parent asked.
Another parent recalled that similar cases were reported late last year, with some students diagnosed with diphtheria.
“Officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) visited the school on 8 March to sensitise students on preventive measures. Why is the school not being transparent about this issue?” the parent added.
Concerns were also raised about the school’s environmental hygiene, particularly the state of its toilets and food quality. Some parents alleged that their previous complaints had been ignored.
A copy of a consent form obtained by NAN revealed that the school had recently partnered with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through Eti-Osa Local Government to administer diphtheria vaccines to students.
Call for Improved Medical Facilities
Parents also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the school clinic, stressing the need for a resident medical doctor to oversee students’ health. Two parents confirmed that their sons had been hospitalised in December due to diphtheria.
One parent recounted her son’s ordeal:
“By God’s grace, my son survived. He had a swollen neck, high fever, and a sore throat. He was admitted to the hospital for over a week. Unfortunately, another student hospitalised at the same time did not make it.”
Calling for better preventive measures, she emphasised the need for stricter hygiene supervision, especially in students’ toilet habits, handwashing, and food consumption.
Another relative, whose nephew was taken to LUTH on Saturday, urged prayers for affected students, adding:
“My sister is distraught, especially after hearing that a student died from the disease in December. The Federal Government and school management must do more to improve the standards of KCL and all unity schools.”
School Authorities Assure Parents
In response to the concerns, Mrs Ngozi Ogbonna, Public Relations Officer of the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), called for calm, assuring parents that efforts were underway to manage the situation.
In a message titled “Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College”, she stated:
“The school management and PTA EXCO have met and engaged relevant health agencies. Based on their advice, booster doses of vaccines will be administered to students.”
She further confirmed that students displaying symptoms had been isolated and taken to LUTH for diagnosis, with results awaited.
“Delegates from the WHO have also visited the school to assist in containing the situation. Parents should remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control,” she added.
Understanding Diphtheria
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through respiratory droplets. It can cause severe respiratory complications, including damage to the throat and airway. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recently reported that between 2022 and early 2025, 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria were recorded across 37 states. The agency continues to advocate vaccination as the most effective means of prevention.
As the situation unfolds, parents and health officials are urging swift action to prevent further cases and ensure the safety of students at King’s College, Lagos.
