States Roll Out Measures To Contain Diphtheria

By Abdullahi Olesin, Igho Oyoyo, Abu Nmodu, Aza Msue, Okechukwu Obeta, Joshua Dada, Achor Abimaje, Longtong Ibrahim, Damilola Origbemisuyi

Following the outbreak of diphtheria, which has been ravaging parts of the North-West, several states across the country have rolled out measures to contain its spread.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Weekly Epidemiological Report covering Epidemiological Week 32, from 3 to 9 August 2026, Nigeria recorded 12,977 suspected diphtheria cases, 10,476 confirmed cases and 406 deaths.

In Kwara State, the government said it was strengthening routine immunisation services across the state to contain and mitigate the outbreak.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said particular attention was being paid to underserved communities and children who had missed one or more vaccine doses.

She added that health teams had been conducting routine and targeted outreach sessions to improve vaccination coverage and reduce the number of susceptible children.

In Niger State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammed Bagana Murtala, said 17 people had died from diphtheria in the state over the past seven months, with 124 cases recorded in Bida, Suleja and Shiroro local government areas.

He attributed the prevalence of the disease to vaccine hesitancy, particularly among pregnant women and infants, as well as incomplete vaccination.

To address the situation, the commissioner said an emergency mop-up vaccination exercise had been conducted.

He also warned that parents who refused to have their children vaccinated could face arrest if the situation persisted.

Reiterating the commissioner’s position, Dr Samuel Jiya, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, identified poor vaccination coverage as a major factor contributing to the outbreak.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the administration has intensified surveillance and response measures following the confirmation of five diphtheria cases, with two deaths recorded.

The FCT State Epidemiologist, Dr Lawal Lukman Ademola, said the cases were sporadic rather than part of a cluster, as health authorities had not established any secondary transmission among the confirmed cases.

To prevent further spread, the FCT has activated active case searches whenever a case is confirmed.

Surveillance teams visit affected households and surrounding communities, engage residents, trace possible contacts and check nearby health facilities for undiagnosed or missed cases.

The administration is also strengthening collaboration with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital to improve early referral, case management and staffing.

In Kaduna State, the government has intensified surveillance across health facilities and communities to ensure the early detection, notification and investigation of suspected diphtheria cases.

A senior government official, who requested anonymity, said the state was supporting timely investigations, specimen collection and laboratory testing of suspected cases through established channels.

According to the official, the government was also ensuring the early identification, appropriate management and timely referral of suspected and confirmed cases in line with national guidelines.

The government is also identifying and monitoring close contacts of suspected and confirmed cases to facilitate early detection and prevent further transmission.

In Anambra State, however, the government has not introduced any specific measures to address a possible diphtheria outbreak.

The State Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Dr Law Mefor, stated this in response to a LEADERSHIP inquiry about measures being taken to prevent a possible outbreak.

In Osun State, the government said it had not lowered its guard on preventive measures aimed at mitigating a resurgence of diphtheria.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP in Osogbo, the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said preventive vaccines were available at government hospitals and health centres across the state.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Plateau State chapter, Dr Andrew Shainaan, identified poor and inadequate vaccination coverage as a major factor contributing to diphtheria outbreaks.

He stressed the importance of immunisation in building community immunity and protecting vulnerable populations.

In Kano State, the government, through the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), has intensified efforts to contain the diphtheria outbreak by strengthening community mobilisation, vaccination and early detection of suspected cases.

The agency has engaged traditional rulers across the emirates to support public sensitisation and encourage residents to accept diphtheria and other vaccines against preventable diseases.

The Director-General of the KNCDC, Prof Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, said the agency was working with traditional institutions to increase vaccine uptake and ensure prompt reporting and referral of suspected diphtheria cases.

He attributed some of the cases recorded in the state to poor routine immunisation coverage, delays in seeking medical care, and patients first visiting chemists or traditional medicine practitioners.

Abbas also called for the urgent supply of nine million doses of diphtheria vaccines to strengthen the state’s response and curtail further transmission.

He urged residents to seek immediate medical attention when symptoms appeared, while calling on traditional medicine practitioners and barbers to refrain from treating suspected cases and instead refer them promptly to health facilities.

In Katsina State, the government said it was closely monitoring the situation but was facing a potential setback from a planned strike by health workers.

In Ondo State, the government has intensified measures to prevent the spread of diphtheria, deploying health workers across the 18 local government areas and 203 wards.

The Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this, saying the state had not recorded any case of diphtheria.

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