Nigeria is grappling with a devastating diphtheria outbreak, with over 24,000 confirmed cases and 1,264 deaths recorded across 26 states and 182 Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The NCDC’s epidemiological report, spanning from week 19 of 2022 to week four of 2025, reveals that a staggering 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported in 37 states across 350 LGAs.
Epicenters of the Outbreak
The NCDC’s breakdown highlights that Kano State remains the hardest hit, with a shocking 17,770 confirmed cases. Other significantly affected states include:
Bauchi – 2,334 cases
Yobe – 2,380 cases
Katsina – 1,088 cases
Borno – 1,036 cases
Jigawa – 53 cases
Plateau – 31 cases
Kaduna – 44 cases
These eight states account for a staggering 99.4% of all confirmed diphtheria cases in the country.
Children at the Forefront of the Epidemic
The report underscores the disproportionate impact on children, with 63.9% (15,845 cases) occurring in those aged 1 to 14 years. This alarming statistic highlights a critical gap in vaccination coverage, as only 20% (4,963 cases) of those infected were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
Vaccination and Surveillance: The Key to Containment
The NCDC has emphasized the urgent need for a multi-faceted response to curb the outbreak. This includes:
Enhanced coordination between healthcare providers, local authorities, and stakeholders to facilitate rapid case detection, disease tracking, and response efforts.
Strengthening surveillance systems to identify high-risk areas, allocate resources effectively, and implement targeted interventions.
Aggressive vaccination campaigns to protect vulnerable populations, particularly unvaccinated children, from further spread.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, though severe cases can extend to other parts of the body.
Symptoms typically appear within 2–5 days of exposure and may include:
Severe sore throat
High fever (above 38°C / 100.4°F)
Difficulty swallowing
Shortness of breath
A thick, greyish membrane on the throat, tonsils, or nose
Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck
In severe cases, airway obstruction can occur, making early detection and treatment crucial to preventing fatalities.
With a case fatality rate (CFR) of 5.1%, the current diphtheria outbreak poses a severe public health challenge. The low vaccination rate and rapid disease spread necessitate immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life.
The NCDC and other health agencies continue to ramp up efforts to contain the outbreak, but the success of these measures largely depends on public cooperation, heightened awareness, and urgent vaccination drives.
As Nigeria battles this deadly epidemic, the key to stopping the crisis lies in swift vaccination efforts, improved healthcare coordination, and a collective commitment to safeguarding public health.
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