Diphtheria cases in Nigeria have been increasing at an alarming rate since early 2023, with a significant surge in March. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that the suspected cases of the disease have risen from 136 in Week 1 of 2023 to 253 cases. Unfortunately, as of March 2, 2023, the NCDC has recorded a further increase in the number of cases.

According to the latest data received from ProMed by the World Health Organization (WHO), 20 states are currently reporting suspected cases in Nigeria, with the highest number of cases being reported from Kano (74%), Yobe (12%), Katsina (6%), Sokoto (2%), Enugu (1%), Ogun (1%), Osun (1%), Kaduna (1%), Lagos (1%), and Zamfara (1%) states. Notably, Osun and Lagos states have high cases of zero dose children who are at risk of diphtheria.

The outbreak has been labeled as one of the most severe outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria in recent years, with children between the ages of 5 and 18 being the most affected age group. Out of the suspected cases, 733 cases have been reported, including 89 deaths (CFR 12.3%). The overall case fatality rate is 12.3%.

Diphtheria is a disease that primarily affects people without the vaccine. Shockingly, the NCDC reports that only 27 (12.5%) out of 216 confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxin-containing vaccine.

The NCDC is collaborating with state health departments and partners to improve surveillance and response to the outbreak. They have been working with stakeholders to increase awareness of the disease, but unfortunately, the cases continue to increase.

The NCDC was first notified of suspected diphtheria cases in Kano and Lagos states on December 1, 2022. On January 20, 2023, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) officially declared the situation as an outbreak of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States, which were the first to confirm diphtheria cases. Diphtheria quickly spread to other states, leading to the activation of the National Technical Working Group Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate response activities at all levels.

The outbreak has put significant pressure on Nigeria's healthcare system, with Zamfara state requesting National Society assistance to reduce the burden on their healthcare services. The NCDC is urging all Nigerians to get vaccinated against diphtheria to prevent further spread of the disease.