Health Crisis in Kano, Over 1.2 Million Residents Living with Hepatitis

By Doubra Diafa

In a worrying public health revelation, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has disclosed that more than 1.2 million residents in the state are currently living with Hepatitis B, a figure that experts say is alarmingly high and calls for urgent intervention.

Speaking at a press briefing to mark World Hepatitis Day 2025, Dr. Labaran described the situation as a ticking time bomb, with the prevalence rate in the state currently standing at 6.2%, significantly above the national average. According to the Commissioner, the burden is highest among adults aged 30–50, but troublingly, many young people are also testing positive.

Dr. Labaran said that the virus is spreading silently, and because symptoms often don’t appear until liver damage has occurred, most carriers are unaware of their status.

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is primarily spread through contact with infected blood or other body fluids and can lead to chronic infection, liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if not treated early.

He noted that most infections in the state stem from unsafe medical practices, poor awareness, lack of routine testing, and low vaccination coverage. In many rural communities, cultural misconceptions and stigma surrounding hepatitis have also contributed to the low uptake of testing and treatment.

Public health experts are urging the federal government to prioritize hepatitis prevention and management by ensuring access to affordable vaccines, expanding testing centers, and integrating hepatitis care into primary healthcare services.

As the world marks Hepatitis Day under the theme Hepatitis Can’t Wait, the figures from Kano serve as a reminder of the silent threat the virus poses and the urgent need for coordinated, community-based action to stop its spread.