The Imo State government has shut down schools following a diphtheria outbreak in Mbutu Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the State, which has led to the death of several children.
The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, confirmed the development in a statement issued on May 26, 2025.
Daily Trust reports that the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diphtheria is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
It spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets, affecting all age groups, but unimmunized children are particularly vulnerable.
In response to the outbreak, the local government has taken swift action to curb further spread. Schools in Mbutu have been temporarily closed, and parents have been advised to keep their children indoors.
The spokesperson of the chairman, Godspower Dike, said, “Diphtheria claimed the lives of the children less than a week after its outbreak.
“Alaribe has said that the WHO, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in Imo State Ministry of Health, and health workers from Aboh Mbaise LGA are working tirelessly to investigate and contain the outbreak.
“An isolation centre has been established at Mbutu Health Centre, with health workers deployed to quarantine children who may have been exposed to the disease and to provide care for affected families.”
The chairman also urged parents to take urgent steps to vaccinate their children.
He said, “In light of this outbreak, parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are strongly urged to do so without delay. Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health.”
Dike, however appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with health authorities.
“We encourage the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities as we work to control this outbreak. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he added
The WHISTLER reported that Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi, in March, revealed that the outbreak has been reported in multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, with Eti-Osa being the most affected, recording 44 suspected cases.
According to him, other affected LGAs include Alimosho, Badagry, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Ojo, Mushin, and Lagos Island, where various numbers of suspected and confirmed cases were identified.
The state within the space of two to three months has recorded ten confirmed cases of diphtheria between January 1 and March 27, 2025.
In March 2025, the disease outbreak at Kings college Lagos, resulted in the death of one junior student after several students were hospitalized with suspected diphtheria symptoms.
Also, on May 4, a community leader and director of the Northern Elders Forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, disclosed that the disease killed two children within 48 hours in Tukur-Tukur Community of Zaria, Kaduna State.
Nigeria has recorded 25,812 confirmed cases of diphtheria out of 42,642 suspected cases across 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 350 local government areas.
