Nigeria has recently witnessed a concerning outbreak of diphtheria between May and June 2023, with a total of 836 confirmed cases and 80 fatalities, as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The affected cases were spread across 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in seven states and the FCT.
During this period, a significant number of 2,455 suspected cases were reported in 24 states, with approximately 71.5 per cent of the confirmed cases occurring among children aged 2 to 14 years.
Regrettably, despite diphtheria being a preventable disease through vaccination, only 181 (21.7 per cent) out of the 836 confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a “diphtheria toxin-containing vaccine.”
According to PREMIUM TIMES, among the states affected, Kano recorded the highest number of confirmed cases, accounting for 819 out of the total 836 cases. Lagos State came second on the chart with eight cases, followed by Yobe and Katsina states with three and two cases respectively. The FCT, Osun, Kaduna, and Cross River states each reported a single case.
Several states, including Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, the FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara, accounted for 98.0 per cent of the suspected cases.
Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection caused by the Corynebacterium species, affecting the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. Children and adults who have not received the pentavalent vaccine, those living in crowded areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers exposed to suspected or confirmed cases are at higher risk of contracting the disease.
The transmission of diphtheria occurs easily between people through direct contact, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.
Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling. In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch may appear on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat, leading to breathing difficulties.
To prevent the disease, the NCDC strongly advises parents to ensure that their children receive three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, as recommended in the childhood immunization schedule. Healthcare workers are urged to remain vigilant for symptoms of diphtheria, and individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms suggestive of the disease should isolate themselves and promptly notify their local government area’s state disease surveillance officer.
