Lagos State has recorded six laboratory-confirmed diphtheria cases from 53 suspected cases reported in 2026, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said. He, however, reassured residents that the state is not experiencing a widespread outbreak but has activated precautionary measures.
Abayomi, on Wednesday September 9, said the government had strengthened disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and case management, particularly because diphtheria outbreaks are ongoing in other parts of Nigeria. He identified Mainland Hospital, Massey Street Children’s Hospital, LUTH and LASUTH as designated facilities for managing suspected cases.
The commissioner urged parents and guardians to ensure children receive the complete three-dose pentavalent vaccination schedule at six, 10 and 14 weeks. He said vaccines are available free at more than 1,000 public and private health facilities offering routine immunisation across Lagos, while the state’s full vaccination coverage currently stands at about 64 per cent.
Abayomi also advised residents to practise good respiratory hygiene, seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as severe sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing and neck swelling, and avoid self-medication. He urged continued vigilance, especially as schools prepare to reopen, stressing that early detection, vaccination and rapid response remain key to preventing wider transmission.
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