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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns about the escalating diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria, with a total of 41,336 cases reported across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Key Statistics:
24,846 (60.1%) confirmed cases
7,769 (18.8%) discarded cases
3,546 (8.6%) pending classification
5,175 (12.5%) unknown status
1,262 deaths, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 5.1%
Affected Areas:
The outbreak is concentrated in a few states, with Kano leading the pack with 23,784 suspected cases, followed by Yobe, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
Notably, these seven states account for 96.5% of all suspected cases.
Vulnerability:
Children aged one to 14 years are disproportionately affected, with 15,845 (63.9%) confirmed cases occurring within this age group.
Alarmingly, only 4,963 (20%) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, highlighting gaps in vaccination coverage.
The NCDC also stresses the importance of vaccination in tackling the disease, with public health campaigns, improved surveillance, and rapid response initiatives being deployed, particularly in the hardest-hit states.
Therefore, addressing the vaccination gap is key to preventing further spread and reducing the high fatality rate associated with the disease.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
It primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.
The bacteria release a toxin that can lead to the formation of a thick grey or white coating in the throat, making breathing difficult.
In severe cases, diphtheria can damage the heart, nervous system, and other organs.
Immunisation through the diphtheria vaccine is a key preventive measure, and it is often administered as a part of routine childhood vaccinations.
