Amidst the escalating spread of diphtheria across the nation, the federal government has issued a compelling plea to the 19 affected states, urging the reintroduction of face masks as a crucial measure to mitigate the outbreak. Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), emphasized the airborne nature of diphtheria and drew parallels with COVID-19, advocating for non-pharmaceutical interventions like face masks, handwashing, and physical distancing.
Speaking at the Diphtheria Outbreak Response press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Shuaib urged governors of affected states to enforce face-covering requirements in public gatherings. However, he emphasized the importance of implementing these measures without stigmatizing or discriminating against individuals affected by the disease.
Dr. Shuaib revealed that six states, including Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Bauchi, are shouldering the overwhelming burden of the outbreak, accounting for a staggering 97% of all reported cases. Kano, in particular, emerges as the epicenter, bearing over 84% of the reported cases.
The impact of the outbreak is disproportionately felt among young people, with over 73% of cases occurring in children aged one to 14 years. Dr. Shuaib expressed concern that only about 18% of those affected had received any vaccinations against diphtheria.
Providing an update, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 13,204 suspected cases as of October 3, 2023, with 8,406 confirmed cases across 114 local government areas in 19 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Dr. Adetifa Ifedayo, the Director-General of NCDC, presented a state-wise breakdown of confirmed cases, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated efforts to curb the alarming resurgence of diphtheria in the country.
