According to recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the country is still dealing with a significant diphtheria outbreak, with 41,336 suspected cases reported across 37 states between Epidemiological Week 19 of 2022 and Epidemiological Week 4 of 2025.
Of these cases, 24,846 (60.1%) were confirmed, 7,769 (18.8%) were discarded, 3,546 (8.6%) are still pending classification, and the status of 5,175 (12.5%) is still unknown.
The outbreak is concentrated in a few states, with Kano leading with 23,784 suspected cases, followed by Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), Borno (2,902), Kaduna (777), and Jigawa (364), accounting for 96.5% of all suspected cases.
The significant effect on younger populations is demonstrated by the fact that 63.9% (15,845) of the confirmed cases included children between the ages of one and fourteen.
Significant vaccination coverage gaps were revealed, too, as only 20% (4,963) of confirmed patients had received all recommended doses of a vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid. 1,262 confirmed cases have died as a result of the outbreak, representing a 5.1% Case Fatality Rate (CFR).
Following Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,380), Katsina (1,088), Borno (1,036), Jigawa (53), Plateau (31), and Kaduna (44), Kano had the most confirmed cases (17,770). These states collectively represent 99.4% of all cases that have been confirmed.
Eight suspected cases were found in two states and five local government districts during the most recent reporting period.
With no fatalities reported, six of these cases (75%) were found to be clinically consistent with diphtheria, keeping the CFR for the most recent instances at zero.
DIPHTHERIA
The infectious disease diphtheria is brought on by germs that produce toxins. When someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, it can spread from person to person. Some people can spread the bacterium to others even if they do not exhibit symptoms of the sickness. While serious illness, complications, and death are possible outcomes, others will experience minor disease.
Although it can afflict anyone, unvaccinated children were more likely to contract diphtheria.
The toxin from diphtheria damages the respiratory system and can spread to other parts of the body. Frequent signs and symptoms include fever, sore throat, and glandular swelling in the neck.
VACCINE
Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with diphtheria or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the infection.
The majority of cases are in children, thus the NCDC stressed the need of immunization in combating the outbreak. The organization has implemented quick response programs, enhanced surveillance, and intensified public health campaigns, particularly in the states most affected. It emphasized that in order to stop the disease’s high death rate and stop it from spreading further, the vaccination gap must be closed.