The Nigeria Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that the country is still in contact with the diphtheria outbreak, with 41,336 suspected cases recorded in 37 states. Between Epidemiology Week 19 in 2022 and Epidemiology Week 4 in 2025, these cases cover 350 local government areas.
According to recent NCDC data, 24,846 cases were confirmed (60.1%), 7,769 (18.8%) were discarded, 3,546 (8.6%) were still in the category to be classified, and the status of 5,175 (12.5%) remains unknown. The outbreak is concentrated in several states, with Kano leading the way to 23,784 suspicious cases, followed by Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), Borho (2,902), Kaduna (2,902), Kaduna (777) and Jigawa (364). These seven states account for 96.5% of all suspicious cases.
Among the confirmed cases, 63.9% (15,845) of children aged 1 to 14 years old occurred, highlighting the serious impact on the young population. However, only 20% (4,963) confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with ditoxin-containing toxin vaccines, thus exposing a significant gap in vaccination coverage. The outbreak caused 1,262 deaths in confirmed cases, reflecting a 5.1% mortality rate (CFR).
The most confirmed cases were reported in Kano (17,770), followed by Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,380), Katsina (1,088) (1,088), Borho (1,036), Jigawa (1,036), Jigawa (53) , Plateau (31) and Kaduna (444)). Together, these statuses account for 99.4% of all confirmed cases. During the latest reporting period, eight suspicious cases were found in two states in five local government areas. Six of these cases (75%) were confirmed to be clinically compatible with diphtheria, with no death record and zero CFR for the latest cases.
The NCDC highlights the critical role of vaccination in addressing the outbreak, especially when children interpret most cases. The agency has strengthened public health campaigns, improved surveillance and deployed rapid response programs, especially in states that are most vulnerable to attack. It stressed that narrowing the vaccination gap is crucial to prevent further spread and reduce high mortality rates associated with the disease.
Diphtheria, a kind of Corynebacterium diphtheriaemainly affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Bacteria produce a toxin that can create a thick gray or white coating in the throat, making breathing difficult. In severe cases, it can damage the heart, nervous system and other organs. Immunization through diphtheria vaccine remains the most effective preventive measure, usually part of routine childhood vaccination.
