In an official declaration, the Federal Government has identified Kano as the epicentre of the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria, revealing that the state alone is responsible for over 84% (7,188) of the confirmed cases. The outbreak has spread across 19 states and 114 local councils, with a total of 8,406 confirmed cases nationwide.
Remarkably, six states—Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Bauchi—collectively account for a substantial 97% of all reported cases nationwide.
The Federal Government is urging governors in the affected states, particularly those highlighted, to enforce the use of face masks during public gatherings and promote frequent handwashing to minimize contact with the bacteria responsible for the outbreak. Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Co-chair of the Diphtheria Emergency Task Force and Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasized that vaccination remains the most potent defense against the disease.
Two types of vaccines are available in the country: the Pentavalent vaccine, administered to children aged six weeks to four years, and the Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine, administered to children aged four to 14 years.
The urgency of the situation was previously underscored by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), which raised alarm about the high prevalence of diphtheria in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states. UNICEF warned that without prompt intervention, around 2 million children are at risk of infection, and an estimated $3.3 million would be required to curb the spread of the disease. The collaborative efforts of the government, healthcare authorities, and the public are crucial in addressing the outbreak and safeguarding public health.
