The diphtheria outbreak, which has gripped multiple states in Nigeria, since its resurgence in December 2022, has shown no sign of abating. Data released by the federal government reveals a count of 7,202 confirmed cases out of the 11,587 suspected cases, spreading across 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 18 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The data contained in a joint statement by the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), noted that Kano State has the highest number of cases, accounting for 85.9 percent of the total confirmed cases, which amounts to 6,185 cases.
Other affected states include Yobe (640), Katsina (213), Borno (95), Kaduna (16), Jigawa (14), Bauchi (8), Lagos (8), FCT (5), Gombe (5), Osun (3), Sokoto (3), Niger (2), Cross River (1), Enugu (1), Imo (1), Nasarawa (1) and Zamfara (1).
An analysis presented in the joint statement reveals that 80 percent of confirmed cases in this outbreak are among individuals who have not received the diphtheria vaccination.
Children aged 1 to 14 years bear the brunt of this outbreak, with the 5 to 14 age group experiencing the highest number of cases. Tragically, there have been 453 confirmed deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.3 percent.
The statement also highlighted some of governments efforts to curb community transmission.
“For the first time for any diphtheria outbreak, the FMOH&SW through NCDC and with WHO support, procured diphtheria antitoxin and more recently intravenous erythromycin and distributed them to the affected states.
“With support from partners and in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, Diphtheria Treatment Centres/Wards have been established in affected states.
“Intensified routine diphtheria immunisation and reactivated vaccination campaigns in 33 LGAs in Bauchi, Katsina, Yobe, Kano, and Kaduna by the NPHCDA. Mobilised procurement of vaccines and essential logistics for three large-scale outbreak response campaigns in 56 LGAs across seven priority states – Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Yobe,”
It advised parents to ensure that their children receive complete vaccination against diphtheria, including the three recommended doses of the diphtheria antitoxin-containing pentavalent vaccine, as part of Nigeria’s routine childhood immunization schedule.
Healthcare professionals are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and adhere to infection prevention and control protocols when attending to patients.
“Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should promptly present to a health care facility or designated diphtheria treatment centres and where possible they and/or healthcare workers should notify their LGA, State Disease Surveillance Officer, their State Ministry of Health helpline, or the NCDC through our toll-free line on 6232,” it added.
Recall that the Federal Government had set up a national emergency task team co-chaired by the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa for higher level coordination of response efforts.
Other members of the Taskforce include Dr. Anyaike Chukwuma, Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Federal Ministry of Information, and the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare Delivery (NTLC).