The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to strengthen vaccination, early detection and community engagement to curb the spread of diphtheria. Dr Tochi Okwor, Head of the Department of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, made the call during a webinar on Tuesday September 8.
Okwor stressed that routine immunisation remained critical, particularly for children who had missed vaccines or failed to complete the recommended schedule. She urged community and religious leaders to help address vaccine concerns and identify barriers preventing families from accessing immunisation, while healthcare workers should promptly detect, report and manage suspected cases.
Ms Peace Umar, Coordination of Pillar Lead for Nigeria’s National Diphtheria Urgent Committee, said diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection that spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and can cause fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the neck. She said early treatment with diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics, alongside isolation, contact tracing and appropriate vaccination, could help reduce complications and transmission.
Umar disclosed that Nigeria recorded 17,866 suspected diphtheria cases across 26 states in 2026, including 13,950 confirmed cases and 431 deaths. Since the outbreak began in 2022, the country has recorded 79,454 suspected cases and 54,076 confirmed cases, with 2,749 confirmed deaths. She urged Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention when symptoms occur, report suspected cases and support vaccination efforts.
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