The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that the country is still grappling with a diphtheria outbreak, with a total of 41,336 suspected cases reported across 37 states.
The cases were recorded between Epidemiological Week 19, 2022, and Week 4 of 2025.
“Of the confirmed cases, 24,846 (60.1%) were confirmed, while 7,769 (18.8%) were discarded,” the NCDC said in a recent report. “The status of 5,175 cases (12.5%) remains unknown.”
The agency highlighted that the outbreak is concentrated in seven states, with Kano recording the highest number of suspected cases at 23,784, followed by Yobe (5,302), and Katsina (3,708). These seven states accounted for 96.5% of all suspected cases.
“The majority of confirmed cases — 15,845 (63.9%) — occurred among children aged one to 14 years, highlighting the disease’s severe impact on younger populations,” the NCDC stated.
Alarmingly, only 20% of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated, revealing significant gaps in vaccination coverage.
As of the latest update, 1,262 deaths have been reported, reflecting a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 5.1% among confirmed cases. Kano alone accounts for the highest number of confirmed cases (17,770).
“Strengthening immunisation efforts remains critical, especially with the majority of cases occurring in children,” the NCDC emphasized.
The agency stressed the importance of vaccination in combating the outbreak, noting that diphtheria can lead to serious complications, including damage to the heart, nervous system, and other organs.
“Public health campaigns, improved surveillance, and rapid response initiatives are being deployed, particularly in the hardest-hit states,” the NCDC stated.
With most cases concentrated in northern Nigeria, the NCDC is calling for intensified vaccination campaigns to address the existing gaps and prevent further spread of the disease.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which affects the throat and nose, and can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
