The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,319 deaths from the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the country.
In its latest situation report published on Sunday, the NCDC revealed that over 42,000 suspected cases have been recorded in 37 states since 2022.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the throat and nose. It can cause breathing difficulties, heart failure, and nerve damage. Experts say vaccination is the best way to prevent it, while early treatment with antitoxins and antibiotics can help manage the disease.
According to the NCDC, Kano State has the highest number of confirmed cases, accounting for 75% of infections.
The breakdown of confirmed cases in high-burden states includes:
- Kano: 18,108 cases
- Bauchi: 2,334 cases
- Yobe: 2,408 cases
- Katsina: 1,501 cases
The agency said the case fatality rate (CFR) is 5.1%, meaning that one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death. However, in some states, the mortality rate is even higher:
- Kaduna: 60%
- Plateau: 48%
- Lagos: 83%
- Adamawa: 80%
In the most recent reporting week, the NCDC said 23 new suspected cases were recorded – 20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. However, none of them have been confirmed yet, as 56.5% of cases remain unclassified due to delays in laboratory testing.
Despite Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report showed that only 4,981 (19.3%) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
Dr Solomon Chollom, a medical virologist, said this highlights a major gap in routine immunisation, especially in northern Nigeria.
“These numbers show that too many children are not getting their routine vaccinations. We need urgent mass vaccination campaigns, especially for children aged 1 to 14 years, who account for 62.9% of cases,” he said.
Experts have also raised concerns about Nigeria’s limited laboratory testing for diphtheria.
“In 2024, all cases were diagnosed based on symptoms, not lab tests, because of shortages of reagents and PCR testing kits,” Dr Chollom explained.
“This means we may not know the true number of cases. Some infections could be missed or misdiagnosed,” he added.
The government has promised to increase laboratory testing and improve PCR diagnosis, but progress has been slow.
Health officials have warned that without better vaccination and disease surveillance, the outbreak could get worse.
- The government has outlined key steps to control the spread of diphtheria, including:
- Expanding vaccination campaigns to close immunity gaps
- Improving case management and laboratory testing
Strengthening public awareness through social media and community engagement
Experts say vaccination remains the best defence against diphtheria. They urged parents to ensure their children receive routine immunisations to help prevent future outbreaks.
