Diphtheria Crisis in Nigeria: Over 1,300 Deaths Amidst Vaccination Challenges

Nigeria is experiencing a severe diphtheria outbreak with over 1,319 deaths and 42,000 suspected cases reported since 2022. Challenges include low vaccination rates and limited laboratory capacity. Kano State accounts for the majority of cases, with mortality rates alarmingly high in several other states. Government responses involve reactive vaccination campaigns and community engagement. Public health experts emphasize the necessity of vaccination to overcome the crisis.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported over 1,319 deaths from the ongoing diphtheria outbreak. This information was revealed in the NCDC’s latest situational report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre, which was made available on their official website recently.

Diphtheria, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. The bacterium can produce toxins that result in severe complications, including respiratory difficulties, heart failure, and neurological damage. Vaccination is essential for prevention, complemented by early treatments with antitoxins and antibiotics.

The NCDC indicates that there have been over 42,000 suspected cases reported across 37 states since 2022. The report specifically notes ongoing challenges such as low vaccination rates, insufficient laboratory capacity, and delays in confirming cases during the 10th Epidemiological Week of 2025.

Significantly, Kano State alone constitutes 75 percent of confirmed cases with 18,108 out of a total of 25,812. Other notable states facing high case counts include Bauchi (2,334 cases), Yobe (2,408 cases), and Katsina (1,501 cases). The case fatality rate currently stands at 5.1 percent, which implies that one in twenty confirmed cases results in death.

Alarmingly, the mortality rates in certain states are considerably higher, with figures such as 25 percent in Kaduna, 48 percent in Plateau, 83 percent in Lagos, and 80 percent in Adamawa. In the latest reporting week, 23 new suspected cases were identified, although laboratory confirmation remains pending, resulting in over half of the cases being unclassified.

In response to this crisis, the Nigerian government has initiated reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden areas and enhanced community engagement. Cooperation with traditional and religious leaders aims to increase vaccination rates. Health experts emphasize that delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment access may contribute to rising fatality rates.

Despite the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report highlights a critical gap in routine immunisation, revealing that only 19.3 percent of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated against diphtheria. Dr. Solomon Chollom, a medical virologist, pointed out the urgent need for mass vaccination campaigns focused on children aged 1 to 14, who represent a significant proportion of cases.

Concerns also arise from Nigeria’s limited testing capacity, as 2024 cases were confirmed solely through clinical symptoms due to reagent shortages and inadequate PCR testing capabilities. Dr. Chollom noted that without extensive testing, the actual disease burden may be underestimated.

Although the government has vowed to enhance laboratory capacity and improve PCR testing protocols, progress has been sluggish, prompting public health experts to stress the need for enhancement.

To address the diphtheria outbreak, the government has proposed several next steps: augmenting case management and data coordination, enhancing laboratory diagnostics with PCR testing, expanding vaccination efforts particularly among children, and strengthening public awareness through various platforms.

In conclusion, public health experts assert that preventive vaccination remains the foremost strategy against diphtheria. Parents are urged to ensure that their children are up to date with routine immunisations to help combat this severe health crisis.

The ongoing diphtheria crisis in Nigeria has resulted in over 1,319 deaths, exacerbated by low vaccination coverage and inadequate laboratory resources. Key states like Kano exhibit alarming case numbers, necessitating immediate action such as mass vaccination campaigns. Efforts are underway to improve testing capabilities and community engagement, yet experts maintain that without enhanced vaccination and surveillance, the outbreak’s severity may worsen. Preventive measures, particularly for children, remain critical to curbing the rise in cases.

Original Source: sciencenigeria.com