The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the country is still battling a diphtheria outbreak, with over 41,000 suspected cases recorded across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In an update released on Saturday through its official website, the NCDC said 41,336 suspected cases were reported from 350 local government areas between Epidemiological Week 19, 2022, and Epidemiological Week 4, 2025.
Out of these cases, 24,846 (60.1%) were confirmed, while 7,769 (18.8%) were ruled out. The status of 5,175 cases (12.5%) is still unknown, and 3,546 cases (8.6%) are awaiting classification.
The outbreak has been most severe in Kano State, which recorded 23,784 suspected cases. Other states heavily affected include Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), Borno (2,902), Kaduna (777), and Jigawa (364). Together, these seven states account for 96.5% of all suspected cases.
The NCDC noted, “Of the confirmed cases, the majority—15,845 (63.9%)—occurred among children aged one to 14 years, highlighting the disease’s severe impact on younger populations.”
Alarmingly, only 4,963 (20%) of the confirmed cases had received full vaccination with the diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, pointing to low vaccination coverage in affected areas.
The outbreak has so far led to 1,262 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 5.1% among confirmed cases.
The highest number of confirmed cases was recorded in Kano (17,770), followed by Yobe (2,380), Bauchi (2,334), Katsina (1,088), Borno (1,036), Jigawa (53), Kaduna (44), and Plateau (31). These states make up 99.4% of all confirmed cases.
Recently, eight suspected cases were recorded in two states across five local government areas. Six of these cases were confirmed as clinically compatible with diphtheria, but no deaths were reported in the latest cases.
The NCDC stressed the importance of vaccination in controlling the spread of the disease.
“With the majority of cases occurring in children, strengthening immunisation efforts remains critical. Public health campaigns, improved surveillance, and rapid response initiatives are being deployed, particularly in the hardest-hit states,” the agency stated.
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by bacteria that can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, and even death if not treated quickly. The NCDC advises parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease.
