Diphtheria has claimed the lives of over 600 individuals in Nigeria since the outbreak began in December 2022, according to Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA). Shuaib disclosed this alarming statistic during a meeting in Abuja with the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on primary healthcare delivery.
The outbreak has seen more than 14,000 suspected cases recorded, with Kano reporting over 10,000 cases. Diphtheria has now spread to 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with over 97% of cases concentrated in Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
To address the crisis, the federal government plans to launch Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines on October 24, accompanied by a comprehensive campaign in schools and healthcare centers. The government is determined to bring the diphtheria outbreak under control and has established a Diphtheria Emergency Task Team for this purpose.
The Sultan of Sokoto expressed gratitude to committee members and highlighted the support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, and other partners. The meeting aimed to assess progress and identify areas for improvement in the battle against diphtheria.
Kaduna State also reported 156 confirmed cases and 20 deaths related to diphtheria, emphasizing the importance of early patient presentation and vaccination. Vaccination remains a vital tool in combating vaccine-preventable diseases, and the public is encouraged to wear face masks when visiting healthcare facilities to contain the disease's spread
