Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, has affected a significant number of children aged 1 to 14 years, with those between 5 and 14 years experiencing the highest incidence.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) jointly confirmed this concerning situation in their latest update on the Federal Government's response to the outbreak.
They revealed that out of 11,587 reported suspected cases, 7,202 were confirmed cases across 105 LGAs in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Kano recorded the highest number of confirmed cases at 6,185, followed by Yobe (640), Katsina (213), and others.
This alarming outbreak has led to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.3 percent, with 453 fatalities reported. To address this crisis, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has established a national emergency task team. This team, co-chaired by the Executive Director of NPHCDA and the Director General of NCDC, aims to enhance coordination of outbreak response efforts and promote collaboration among various health stakeholders.
The outbreak is primarily attributed to historical gaps in vaccination coverage, particularly affecting children aged 5–14. A nationwide diphtheria immunity survey revealed that only 42 percent of children under 15 years are fully protected from diphtheria. In response, the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) has been actively coordinating surveillance and response activities across the country.
