Nigeria Records 1,319 Diphtheria Deaths, 25,812 Cases Across 26 States

• Nigeria records 1,319 diphtheria deaths, 25,812 cases across 26 states.
• Children aged 1-14 make up 63% of cases, with low vaccination rates.
• NCDC boosts diagnostics, awareness, and response efforts.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that diphtheria claimed 1,319 lives across the country between April 2022 and March 9, 2025.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to its latest situation report, covering Week 19 of 2022 to Week 10 of 2025, Nigeria recorded 42,642 suspected cases across 350 local government areas in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Of these, 25,812 cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, epidemiological linkage, or clinical compatibility.

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In Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025, 23 suspected cases were recorded—20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. However, none were confirmed, and no deaths were reported, maintaining a case fatality rate of zero per cent for the week under review.

Cumulatively, Kano recorded the highest number of suspected cases (24,239), followed by Yobe (5,330), Katsina (4,237), Bauchi (3,066), Borno (3,058), Kaduna (777), and Jigawa (364). These seven states accounted for 96.3 per cent of total suspected cases. Confirmed cases spanned 184 LGAs across 26 states, with Kano leading at 18,108 cases, followed by Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408), Katsina (1,501), and Borno (1,161).

Children aged 1 to 14 years made up 62.9 per cent (16,234) of confirmed cases, while only 19.3 per cent (4,981) had received the diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine. Fatalities were highest in Kano (850), followed by Katsina (114), Yobe (109), Bauchi (104), and Borno (68), with additional deaths reported in other states.

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The NCDC highlighted challenges such as low test positivity rates and shortages of reagents needed for PCR testing, noting that all cases in 2024 were confirmed solely through clinical compatibility.

In response, the agency has provided technical support to states, enhanced case reporting, and expanded risk communication efforts through social media and survivor interviews. It is also strengthening laboratory diagnosis by optimising PCR protocols and increasing the supply of testing materials.

These efforts, the NCDC stated, are aimed at improving the national response, curbing disease spread, and reducing diphtheria-related deaths in Nigeria.

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