Nigeria’s diphtheria outbreak has recorded over 1,319 deaths, with significant vaccination gaps and testing capacity issues impeding control efforts. Kano State reports the majority of cases, and high mortality rates are observed in several regions. The government is initiating vaccination campaigns and enhancing surveillance to combat the crisis, emphasizing the importance of routine immunization for children.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that over 1,319 fatalities have occurred during the ongoing diphtheria outbreak. This alarming data was shared in a situation report published by the NCDC’s National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre on its official website.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, affecting the throat and nose mucous membranes. This bacterium produces a toxin that can result in severe health complications, including respiratory difficulties, heart failure, and nerve damage. Vaccination is crucial for prevention, while timely management with antitoxins and antibiotics is essential as part of treatment.
Since 2022, over 42,000 suspected cases have been reported across 37 Nigerian states. The NCDC highlighted ongoing challenges in combating the disease, including low vaccination rates, inadequate laboratory capacity, and delayed confirmation of cases. Specifically, Kano State has 75 percent of confirmed cases, amounting to 18,108 out of 25,812, followed by Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408), and Katsina (1,501).
The current case fatality rate stands at 5.1 percent, suggesting that one in every 20 confirmed cases leads to death. The mortality rate is particularly high in Kaduna (25 percent), Plateau (48 percent), Lagos (83 percent), and Adamawa (80 percent). In the latest reporting period, the agency identified 23 new suspected cases—20 in Lagos and three in Katsina—though none have yet been confirmed.
To address these issues, the Nigerian government has initiated reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and is collaborating with community leaders to increase immunization rates. Public health experts express concern that late diagnosis and inadequate treatment access may contribute to elevated fatality rates. Despite the existence of Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), only 4,981 (19.3 percent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
Dr. Solomon Chollom, a medical virologist, noted the alarming gap in routine immunization coverage, especially in northern regions of Nigeria. He advocates for urgent mass vaccination campaigns targeting children aged 1 to 14 years, who constitute 62.9 percent of confirmed cases. Furthermore, limitations in Nigeria’s testing capability remain a grave issue, with 2024 cases confirmed solely based on clinical symptoms due to reagent shortages and limited PCR capacity for diphtheria diagnosis.
To mitigate these concerns, the government has committed to enhancing laboratory capacity and refining PCR testing protocols. Although implementation has been sluggish, experts emphasize the necessity for comprehensive vaccination drives, improved disease surveillance, and reliable diagnostic materials supply. As Nigeria contends with one of its most severe diphtheria outbreaks in decades, health officials urge rapid improvements in vaccination and monitoring efforts to avert further deterioration.
The government is taking the following steps: enhancing case management support and data harmonization across affected states, advancing laboratory diagnostics through PCR testing, expanding vaccination efforts to bridge immunization gaps—particularly among children—and augmenting public awareness initiatives via social media and community engagement. Public health experts stress that preventive vaccination remains the most effective defense against diphtheria and urge parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunizations.
The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria has resulted in over 1,319 deaths and highlights significant gaps in vaccination coverage and laboratory capacity across the country. Urgent measures are needed, including targeted vaccination campaigns for children and enhanced disease surveillance to counteract the high fatality rates. Public health experts and officials stress the importance of preventive measures and community engagement to improve immunization rates and control the outbreak effectively.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
