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Nigeria is currently facing a significant diphtheria outbreak, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 41,336 suspected cases across 36 states and 350 local government areas. The outbreak, tracked from Epidemiological Week 19, 2022, to Week 4, 2025, has seen 24,846 (60.1%) confirmed cases, 7,769 (18.8%) discarded, and 3,546 (8.6%) pending classification. The status of 5,175 cases (12.5%) remains unknown. The outbreak is concentrated in seven states, with Kano bearing the highest burden at 23,784 suspected cases, followed by Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), Borno (2,902), Kaduna (777), and Jigawa (364). Together, these states account for 96.5% of all suspected cases.
Diphtheria, a bacterial infection affecting the throat and airways, has disproportionately impacted children aged one to 14 years, who make up 63.9% (15,845) of confirmed cases. This highlights the disease’s severe impact on younger populations. Alarmingly, only 20% (4,963) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, underscoring significant gaps in vaccination coverage. Low immunization rates have likely contributed to the outbreak’s spread and severity.
The outbreak has resulted in 1,262 deaths, reflecting a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 5.1% among confirmed cases. This high CFR underscores the urgent need for improved public health interventions, including widespread vaccination campaigns, early case detection, and effective treatment. The NCDC has emphasized the importance of strengthening routine immunization programs and raising awareness about diphtheria prevention, particularly in high-burden states.
The diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria highlights critical challenges in the country’s healthcare system, including inadequate vaccination coverage and limited access to healthcare services in some regions. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between government agencies, healthcare providers, and international partners to ensure timely vaccination, effective disease surveillance, and public education. .
#Diphtheria
#Nigeria
#NCDC
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