A growing diphtheria outbreak is raising concern across parts of northern Nigeria, with health authorities reporting deaths and confirmed cases in several states while intensifying vaccination, surveillance and treatment measures to contain the spread.
Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection that primarily affects the nose and throat and can become life-threatening within a short period. Health experts warn that the disease can progress rapidly, with an incubation period ranging from about two to 10 days.
Early symptoms may include sore throat, fever, weakness, cough and catarrh, while severe cases can develop swelling of the neck, difficulty swallowing and breathing, as well as a thick coating or membrane in the throat.
The situation has prompted various interventions across affected and neighbouring states, including emergency vaccination campaigns, the establishment of isolation centres, enhanced surveillance and public awareness campaigns.
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Katsina records 30 deaths as disease spreads to 30 LGAs
Katsina State is among the states battling a significant increase in diphtheria cases, with at least 30 people reported dead as of late August.
Health authorities said about 1,000 suspected cases had been reported from health facilities across the state, with the fatalities representing approximately 5.6 per cent of the suspected cases.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, said the disease had spread to 30 of the state’s 34 Local Government Areas.
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She identified Funtua, Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura among the most vulnerable areas, with Funtua recording the highest burden as of August 28.
In response, the state commenced reactive vaccination on August 25 across 15 high-risk wards in five LGAs — Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia.
The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with logistical support from UNICEF.
According to Kabir, 67,670 eligible persons had received the Td vaccine, while 24,103 children had received the pentavalent vaccine across the five implementing LGAs.
She said the state government had also secured an additional 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines for emergency vaccination in high-risk and affected communities.
Beyond vaccination, the government has stepped up case management and established three additional isolation centres to complement the existing NCDC-supported isolation facility at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina.
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The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, said additional isolation centres had also been established in the Funtua and Daura zones to bring treatment closer to affected communities.
However, the state continues to face challenges, including poor vaccination uptake, late presentation of suspected cases at health facilities and the porous international border with Niger Republic.
Kano disputes report of 50 deaths in Rano
In Kano State, authorities have rejected reports that at least 50 people had died from diphtheria in Rano Local Government Area.
The Kano State Centre for Disease Control said its records and active case searches did not support the reported figure.
The Director-General of the centre, Dr Muhammad Abbas, said surveillance officers across all 44 LGAs, ward focal persons, community informants, mobilisers, district heads and ward heads had also not confirmed the reported deaths.
However, Abbas acknowledged that diphtheria had been present in Kano for several years, although the burden had declined significantly.
He said that from October 2, 2022, Kano had recorded more than 39,000 suspected cases, of which more than 32,000 were confirmed positive following investigations, while about 1,800 people died during the period.
Kano, according to the official, accounted for more than 85 per cent of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden during the 2022–2023 period.
Authorities attributed the subsequent reduction partly to the decentralisation of treatment centres, allowing patients in rural communities to access care without having to travel long distances to Kano metropolis.
The state now has about 26 diphtheria treatment centres — 13 in secondary healthcare facilities and 13 in primary healthcare facilities.
Abbas also raised concern over the number of unvaccinated children affected by the disease, saying nearly 17,000 of the more than 32,000 confirmed cases recorded over the years were children who had never received any vaccination.
He stressed the importance of early treatment, warning that diphtheria could devastate patients within a short period.
The official also cautioned against harmful traditional interventions, saying health officials encountered suspected cases in Rano who had visited traditional barbers where attempts were made to remove the membrane associated with the disease.
He warned that cutting or removing the membrane could cause wounds and increase the risk of infection.
Meanwhile, Kano authorities are seeking millions of vaccine doses to strengthen population immunity, although the state initially received far fewer doses than requested.
Plateau shuts schools as 25 die
In Plateau State, the government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools following the spread of diphtheria.
At least 25 people have reportedly died, while 143 infections have been recorded.
The directive took effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, and affects schools across the state.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved the measure following suspected outbreaks in parts of Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.
The government directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply fully with the closure and keep pupils and students at home during the period.
Authorities said further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public in due course.
Benue steps up surveillance
In neighbouring Benue State, health authorities said there is currently no confirmed diphtheria outbreak but warned that the state remains on high alert because of cases reported in neighbouring and other northern states.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the state’s surveillance system was closely monitoring the situation.
He explained that diphtheria is caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact.
Overcrowding, delayed recognition and treatment, poor access to healthcare, population movement and gaps in routine immunisation were identified as factors that could facilitate the spread.
Ogwuche said the state was strengthening surveillance across its 23 LGAs and was focusing on early identification, notification, investigation and laboratory confirmation of suspected cases.
He added that Benue was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners on preparedness, vaccination and outbreak response.
The state is also intensifying public awareness among parents, caregivers and schools about immunisation and the importance of seeking medical attention when symptoms emerge.
Kaduna prepares for mass immunisation
Kaduna State has also announced plans for a massive response immunisation campaign aimed at strengthening preparedness and preventing the spread of diphtheria.
The Director of Public Health, Dr Abubakar Sadiq-Idris, said measures had been put in place to manage suspected cases at the Infectious Disease Centre in Mando and other secondary healthcare facilities.
He urged parents to ensure that their children were fully immunised, stressing that vaccination remains the primary defence against diphtheria.
Health officials have also been engaging traders, commuters and residents at major locations, including the central market, railway station and Kabala Doki, to educate the public about symptoms, transmission and prevention.
Residents were advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as sore throat, fever, weakness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a thick coating in the throat.
Abuja records two deaths
The Federal Capital Territory is also intensifying its response after recording five laboratory-confirmed diphtheria cases and two deaths.
The FCT Administration has warned residents against self-treatment and unverified remedies, particularly attempts to remove the membrane that can form at the back of the throat.
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, said 15 suspected cases had been investigated as of last week, with five confirmed through laboratory testing.
Several patients have responded to treatment and were discharged, she said, stressing that early detection and prompt medical intervention remain crucial.
Fasawe recalled a case in which a child reportedly bled to death after a local barber attempted to cut the membrane from the child’s throat.
The FCTA has activated a multidisciplinary Incident Management Team to conduct contact tracing, provide preventive antibiotics and intensify community mobilisation in affected communities, including Karshi.
Officials are also using local languages, including Hausa and Gbagyi, to improve awareness among vulnerable populations.
The World Health Organisation has urged residents to take advantage of routine childhood immunisation, stressing that vaccines remain a key tool for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
Lagos says no widespread outbreak
In Lagos State, authorities have reassured residents that there is currently no widespread outbreak despite the state recording 53 suspected diphtheria cases in 2026.
Of those suspected cases, six were laboratory-confirmed. The confirmed patients were appropriately managed, while their contacts were traced and monitored during the incubation period.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said Lagos was remaining vigilant because of its large population and the constant movement of people between the state and other parts of the country where diphtheria cases have been reported.
He urged residents to remain calm while observing precautionary measures.
Abayomi explained that diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which can produce a toxin capable of damaging vital organs, particularly the heart.
He advised residents experiencing severe sore throat, fever, weakness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling or a white or greyish membrane at the back of the throat to seek immediate medical attention.
Parents and guardians were also urged to ensure that children complete the recommended three-dose pentavalent vaccination schedule.
Lagos currently has about 64 per cent full vaccination coverage, according to the commissioner, leaving some children partially vaccinated or completely unvaccinated.
More than 1,000 healthcare facilities across the public and private sectors provide routine immunisation services in the state, with vaccines available free of charge at government health facilities.
The four designated facilities for managing suspected diphtheria cases in Lagos are Mainland Hospital, formerly Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island; Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Health authorities urge vigilance
As states intensify their response, health officials have consistently emphasised vaccination and early medical intervention as the most effective ways to prevent severe disease and deaths.
Diphtheria is fundamentally a vaccine-preventable disease, and health authorities warn that gaps in routine immunisation can leave children vulnerable to outbreaks.
Residents are therefore being urged to avoid self-treatment, refrain from attempting to remove throat membranes and seek professional medical attention immediately when symptoms associated with diphtheria appear.
With cases continuing to emerge in several parts of the country, authorities are also strengthening surveillance, vaccination, treatment facilities and public awareness campaigns in an effort to prevent further transmission and protect vulnerable communities.
