A Junior Secondary School (JSS) student at King’s College Lagos (KCL) has died following a Diphtheria outbreak in the school.
Report quoted the Chairperson of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), Peter Oluwaleye, as confirming that the student, whose name he did not disclose, passed away last week at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
In a statement dated 9 March, Mr Oluwaleye expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and updated parents on efforts to contain the disease’s spread.
“The issue of Diphtheria disease in the College has actually blown out of proportion in some platforms, but the reality is far from the panic,” he noted
“Regrettably, we lost one of our students at the LUTH last week, despite the combined efforts of the family, college management, PTA executives, and hospital staff. It is highly regretted. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to the family and the King’s College community.”
While the total number of confirmed cases has not been disclosed, Mr Oluwaleye said there are four suspected cases currently at LUTH, with test results pending.
Parents had earlier raised concerns over the suspected outbreak after reports emerged of multiple students exhibiting symptoms of the bacterial infection.
They attributed the outbreak to poor sanitary conditions in the school and criticised the management for poorly handling the situation.
The parents urged the federal government to improve infrastructure, especially WASH facilities, teaching quality, teachers/ staff attitude, and educational standards in the college and other colleges across the country.
Meanwhile, in 2023, a similar health scare at King’s College Lagos arose after some JSS1 students reportedly developed blisters and fever, which parents suspected were due to waterborne infections.
However, the school management and PTA dismissed claims of an outbreak, stating that the college’s water sources were well-maintained and routinely treated.
Mr Oluwaleye, in his statement, acknowledged the student’s death and assured parents that measures had been taken to contain the spread of the disease.
He said prophylactic medication has been provided for students showing symptoms, while representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have donated additional medication for 100 patients.
He added that nose masks were distributed to all students, and an isolation centre has been set up within the school premises for suspected cases.
An emergency assembly was held where WHO representatives educated students on Diphtheria prevention and symptoms.
The school has also implemented WHO’s recommendation to establish handwashing stations throughout the premises, with hand sanitisers provided at each point.
He added that the academic calendar had been adjusted, with second-term examinations now set to begin Thursday at the main campus and Friday at the annexe, concluding next week.
