Daud Olatunji
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the alarm over low vaccination coverage among diphtheria patients, saying about 68 per cent of confirmed cases recorded in the country involved people who were not vaccinated against the disease.
The NCDC also disclosed that eight states account for about 98 per cent of Nigeria’s confirmed diphtheria cases, highlighting the concentration of the outbreak in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The agency identified the affected states as Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara.
The Principal Health Communication Officer in the Department of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the NCDC, Michael Okali, disclosed the figures in an interview with Channels Television on Saturday.
Okali, who also heads the Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management Pillar of the National Diphtheria Incident Management System, said available data showed that 28 per cent of confirmed cases had an unknown vaccination status.
He noted that most of the fatalities recorded were among unvaccinated persons, stressing that vaccination remained one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread and severe consequences of the disease.
According to him, nobody should assume that they are completely safe from diphtheria, as everyone is potentially at risk of infection.
“Everyone is at risk of infection,” he said, warning that people who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated could contract and transmit the infection.
He therefore urged parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children and wards receive their routine vaccinations.
Okali said vaccination against diphtheria was free and available at primary healthcare centres across the country.
He explained that children should receive the routine doses during infancy, while those whose vaccination history was uncertain could receive booster doses containing protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
The NCDC official also stressed the importance of early reporting and prompt medical attention, saying delays in seeking treatment could increase the risk of complications and transmission.
48 Confirmed Cases, Four Deaths in One Week
The latest figures cited by the NCDC showed that between August 24 and August 30, 2026, Nigeria recorded 69 suspected diphtheria cases.
Of the suspected cases, 48 were confirmed, while four deaths were recorded during the period.
The figures came amid continuing efforts by health authorities to contain diphtheria outbreaks and improve vaccination coverage, particularly in states with high numbers of cases.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacterium produces a toxin that can affect the nose, throat, tonsils and larynx and may cause severe complications involving the heart, nerves and kidneys.
The infection is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through contact with infected sores and contaminated objects or clothing.
Health authorities say common symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen glands around the neck and difficulty breathing.
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