The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released an official statement addressing the recent outbreak of diphtheria in the country.
According to the NCDC, there have been a total of 798 confirmed cases of diphtheria since December 2022, resulting in one reported fatality. Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director General of the NCDC, emphasized that out of the 798 cases, 654 individuals had not received vaccination.
The outbreak has affected multiple states across Nigeria, with Kano having the highest number of reported cases. Other affected states include Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, and Osun. The majority of the confirmed cases (71.7%) are among children aged 2 to 14 years. The case fatality rate currently stands at 10.0%, with a total of 80 deaths reported thus far.
Diphtheria is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can be prevented through vaccination. Dr Adetifa highlighted that the ongoing outbreak can be attributed to suboptimal vaccination coverage.
The NCDC is working in close collaboration with the FCT Health and Human Services Department to implement various control measures and contain the spread of the disease. Public awareness campaigns are underway to educate individuals about the importance of seeking prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms of diphtheria. Healthcare workers are urged to report suspected cases immediately.
To address the outbreak, the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat has activated an incident management system to coordinate outbreak response activities. As of July 3rd, only one confirmed case has been detected in the FCT, while others have tested negative or are awaiting laboratory results.
The NCDC has established a Diphtheria Technical Working Group to oversee surveillance and response activities across the country. These activities include coordination, surveillance, laboratory investigations, risk communication, case management, and immunization.
Parents are strongly advised to ensure their children receive the recommended doses of the diphtheria antitoxin-containing pentavalent vaccine to minimize the risk of diphtheria. Healthcare workers should maintain a high level of suspicion for diphtheria and adhere to standard infection prevention and control measures. Vaccination against diphtheria is also recommended for healthcare workers who may have a high level of exposure to cases.
If you require further information or assistance, please contact the relevant disease surveillance officers or reach out to the NCDC through their toll-free line on 6232.
