GUSAU — The Zamfara State Government has extended the resumption of public and private schools by two weeks following an outbreak of diphtheria that has claimed 44 lives. The state Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske, said 367 suspected cases had been recorded, more than 320 patients had been discharged, and children aged six to 10 were among the worst affected. Gusau Local Government Area has the highest number of cases. Isolation centres are operating in general hospitals, and rapid response teams have been deployed to all 14 LGAs. The Commissioner for Education, Abdulmalik Gajam, said schools will now tentatively resume on Monday, September 28, subject to advice from health authorities. Schools were directed to clean and decontaminate their premises and provide handwashing facilities before reopening.