Health

Lagos on Edge: Deadly Diphtheria Spreads, Authorities Race to Contain Crisis

Published

4 weeks ago

Mar 31, 2025.

Lagos State is battling a diphtheria outbreak, with 10 confirmed cases and over 100 people under surveillance. Health officials are ramping up containment efforts ahead of Eid-el-Fitr and Easter celebrations.
Vaccination and treatment efforts are in full swing, with over 36,000 people vaccinated and 21 patients receiving life-saving Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT). Affected areas include Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Badagry, Ikorodu, and Mushin.
Residents are urged to stay cautious, practice good hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like persistent cough, fever, sore throat, and neck swelling. Treatment is free at government hospitals.

Lagos State is on high alert due to a diphtheria outbreak, with 10 confirmed cases recorded between January 1 and March 27, 2025.

As the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter celebrations approach, health officials are working hard to stop the disease from spreading further.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, shared an update over the weekend. He said that out of 76 samples tested, 10 were positive, while 63 were negative. Three more samples collected on March 26 are still being tested.

The outbreak has affected several areas, with Eti-Osa being the worst hit, reporting 44 suspected cases. Other affected areas include Alimosho, Badagry, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Ojo, Mushin, and Lagos Island.

All confirmed cases are receiving medical care, and patients must stay in isolation during treatment. So far, 21 patients have received Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), a life-saving treatment. The highest number of treatments (14) were given at King’s College, Eti-Osa, while others were administered in Meiran, Alimosho, Kosofe, and Badagry.

The outbreak peaked in weeks 3, 4, and 10 of 2025, with four cases each week. However, recent weeks show a decline, meaning control measures are working.

Health officials are also tracing people who may have been exposed. They have identified 118 contacts, tracked 100, and are still looking for 18. To prevent further spread, 36 people in affected areas have received preventive treatment.

The government has mapped out key locations linked to the outbreak, including King’s College, Eti-Osa; Lagos State Model School, Meiran; Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Mushin; De-Emmaculate School, Mile 12; and Gbara Junior Secondary School, Eti-Osa.

So far, 36,310 people have been vaccinated, including 7,473 children (aged 9-17) and 28,837 adults, among them 13,633 health workers.

With major celebrations and school holidays approaching, health officials are urging residents to maintain good hygiene, wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizers, and avoid large gatherings.

Diphtheria symptoms include persistent cough, fever, sore throat, swollen neck, and thick grey or white patches in the throat. Early detection is crucial, and treatment is free at government hospitals.

Prof. Abayomi praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for acting quickly and thanked the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF for their support.

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The Lagos government promises to continue monitoring the situation and providing updates. Residents are urged to stay informed and follow health guidelines.

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