The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that the country continues to battle a severe diphtheria outbreak, with a total of 41,336 suspected cases recorded across 37 states.
According to the latest data from the NCDC, 24,846 cases (60.1%) have been confirmed, while 7,769 cases (18.8%) were discarded. Additionally, 3,546 cases (8.6%) are pending classification, and the status of 5,175 cases (12.5%) remains unknown.
The outbreak is heavily concentrated in seven states, with Kano leading at 23,784 suspected cases, followed by Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), Borno (2,902), Kaduna (777), and Jigawa (364). These states account for 96.5% of all reported cases.
Among the confirmed cases, 15,845 (63.9%) were recorded in children aged one to 14 years, highlighting the impact on younger populations. Alarmingly, only 4,963 (20%) of those infected were fully vaccinated against diphtheria, indicating significant gaps in immunisation coverage.
The outbreak has resulted in 1,262 deaths, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 5.1% among confirmed cases. Kano has the highest number of confirmed cases (17,770), followed by Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,380), Katsina (1,088), Borno (1,036), Jigawa (53), Plateau (31), and Kaduna (44), collectively making up 99.4% of confirmed cases.
Recently, eight new suspected cases were recorded across five local government areas in two states. Six of these cases (75%) were confirmed as clinically compatible with diphtheria, but no deaths were reported, maintaining a CFR of 0% for the latest cases.
The NCDC stresses the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts to curb the spread of diphtheria, particularly in the northern regions where most cases are concentrated. Public health campaigns, enhanced surveillance, and rapid response measures are being implemented to address the crisis.
Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. The bacteria produce a toxin that can cause a thick grey or white coating in the throat, making breathing difficult. Severe cases may lead to heart, nervous system, and organ damage.
Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, and the diphtheria vaccine is routinely administered as part of childhood immunisation programmes.
(NAN)
