Diphtheria Death Toll In Nigeria Hits 1,319
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed that 1,319 deaths have been recorded as of March 9, 2025, in the country’s diphtheria outbreak.
Nigeria has recorded a total of 25,812 confirmed cases of diphtheria out of the 42,642 suspected cases reported across 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 350 local government areas.
The NCDC disclosed this in its latest situation report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), published on its official website.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
It typically affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, where the bacteria produce a toxin that can lead to complications such as breathing difficulties, heart failure or nerve damage.
THE WHISTLER reported Wednesday that the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to urgently launch a nationwide diphtheria vaccination campaign in schools to curb the spread of the deadly bacterial infection.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by House spokesman Akin Rotimi during plenary on Wednesday, following the outbreak and death of a 12-year-old student at King’s College, Lagos.
The NCDC reiterated that vaccination is the primary means of prevention, and early treatment with antitoxins and antibiotics is crucial for managing the disease.
It further stated that 42,642 suspected cases have been reported across 37 states since 2022. 25,812 confirmed cases, and 1,319 deaths, (CFR: 5.1%). It noted that the report covered Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025.
The report highlighted persistent challenges in tackling the disease, including low vaccination coverage, inadequate laboratory capacity and delayed case confirmation.
According to the NCDC, Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812. Other high-burden states include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408) and Katsina (1,501).
The public health agency stated that the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 5.1 per cent, meaning one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death.
“In some states, the mortality rate is even higher. Plateau has 48 per cent, Lagos has 83 per cent and Adamawa has 80 per cent.”
In the latest reporting week, the agency said that 23 new suspected cases were reported—20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. It, however, noted that none has been confirmed yet, with 56.5 per cent of cases still unclassified due to delays in laboratory confirmation.
The NCDC said the Federal Government has launched reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and intensified community engagement with traditional and religious leaders.
Public health experts have warned that late diagnosis and poor access to treatment may be contributing to these high fatality rates. Despite Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report revealed that only 4,981 (19.3 per cent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
According to a medical virologist in the report, Dr Solomon Chollom, the numbers indicate a critical gap in routine immunisation coverage, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Chollom emphasised the need for urgent mass vaccination campaigns, particularly targeting children aged one year to 14 years, who make up 62.9 per cent of confirmed cases. He said that another alarming finding was Nigeria’s limited testing capacity.
“In 2024, all cases were confirmed based on clinical symptoms rather than laboratory testing, indicating shortages of reagents and PCR capacity for diphtheria diagnosis. This raises concerns about the actual burden of the disease. Without widespread testing, we could be underreporting or misdiagnosing cases,” he asserted.
It will be recalled that the government has promised to improve laboratory capacity and optimise protocols for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, but implementation has been slow.
Experts have advised that there is a need for a nationwide diphtheria vaccination drive, improved disease surveillance and a steady supply of diagnostic materials. With Nigeria facing one of its worst diphtheria outbreaks in decades, health officials warn that without improved vaccination and surveillance efforts, the situation could worsen.
The government has outlined certain steps to be taken. They include increasing case management support and data harmonisation across affected states and improving laboratory diagnosis through PCR testing on clinical samples.
Others are expanding vaccination coverage to close immunity gaps, particularly among children and strengthening public awareness campaigns through social media and community engagement. Public health experts have said that preventive vaccination remains the best defence for now, urging parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunisations.
Diphtheria Death Toll In Nigeria Hits 1,319 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
