State gov't shuts down schools as diphtheria outbreak kills several children Schools in Mbutu Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, have been closed following the outbreak of diphtheria that has claimed the lives of several children. The outbreak, which began less than a week ago, has already resulted in multiple fatalities, according to a report by Daily Trust. Caused by a toxin produced by corynebacterium, diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease covered by one of the vaccines provided routinely through a childhood immunisation schedule. The bacterial infection usually affects the mucous membranes of...