A DEADLY DIPTHERIA outbreak sweeping across Nigeria has claimed 1,264 lives, with 41,336 suspected cases reported across 37 states and 350 Local Government Areas (LGAs) between 2022 and early 2025. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 24,864 infections, revealing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 5.1 per cent.
The Explainer gathered that Kano State remains the hardest hit, recording 17,770 confirmed cases—over 70 per cent of the national total. Other affected states include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,380), Katsina (1,088), Borno (1,036), Jigawa (53), Plateau (31), and Kaduna (44), with NCDC stating that these states account for 99.4 per cent of all confirmed cases.
Beyond the numbers, the outbreak has exposed a critical gap in Nigeria’s vaccination coverage, leaving millions of children vulnerable to infection.
“Of the confirmed cases, the majority, 15,845 (63.9 per cent), occurred among children aged one to 14 years, highlighting the disease’s severe impact on younger populations,” NCDC revealed.
Vaccination Crisis: Only 20% Fully Immunised
The Explainer learned that the outbreak has been worsened by alarmingly low immunisation rates. According to NCDC, only 4,963 (20 per cent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine. This means thousands of infected children had little to no protection against the disease, fuelling its rapid spread.
Health experts warn that despite Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme, gaps in vaccine accessibility—particularly in rural and conflict-prone areas—have left many children unprotected. The Explainer gathered that misinformation, logistical challenges, and strained healthcare systems have further complicated vaccination efforts.
A study published in PLOS ONE highlights that unvaccinated children remain vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases and are often already disadvantaged due to poverty, conflict, and lack of access to basic health services. Globally, 22.7 million children are estimated to be zero- or missed-dose, and of these, 3.1 million (∼14%) reside in Nigeria.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in their pursuit to reach zero-dose children across Nigeria, partners are leveraging previous investments in polio eradication and COVID-19 response to expand immunization coverage nationwide. These efforts aim to overcome barriers such as inadequate health facilities, storage for vaccines, and equipment, as well as socio-cultural factors.
Additionally, a study in the Pan African Medical Journal indicates that myths and misinformation discouraging vaccine uptake are spreading very fast; dispelling this misinformation and misconceptions is crucial for efficient rollout to achieve massive uptake by the targeted population in Africa.
With diphtheria continuing to spread, health authorities are ramping up containment measures.
“Effective coordination among healthcare providers, local authorities, and other stakeholders is the foundation of a successful response. This coordination enables the rapid detection and reporting of new cases, tracking of the disease’s spread, and monitoring response efforts,” NCDC stated.
The Explainer notes that enhanced surveillance is being prioritised to identify high-risk areas, ensure swift medical intervention, and allocate resources efficiently.
“Implementing vaccination campaigns is necessary to ensure that susceptible populations, particularly children, are protected against the disease,” NCDC added.
ALSO READ: Meta Company Sets To Hire Machine Learning Engineers
Diphtheria: A Silent Killer with Devastating Symptoms
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets, contaminated food, and close contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms often appear within two to five days of exposure, including severe sore throat, fever exceeding 38°C (100.4°F), difficulty swallowing, and breathing complications. In severe cases, a thick greyish membrane may form on the throat, potentially blocking the airway and leading to suffocation.
The Explainer gathered that while treatment options such as diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics exist, early detection and vaccination remain the best defences against the disease.
While the latest NCDC report confirmed six new infections with no additional deaths in the last surveillance period, health officials warn that the situation remains precarious. Without urgent intervention, experts fear the outbreak could escalate, further endangering thousands of children across the country.
