Nigeria records over 24,000 diphtheria cases, 1,264 deaths

Nigeria has recorded 41,336 suspected circumstances of diphtheria in 37 states throughout 350 Native Authorities Areas (LGAs) between week 19 of 2022 and week 4 of 2025.

In its current state of affairs report, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) famous that of the suspected circumstances, 24,864 circumstances and 1,264 deaths had been confirmed throughout 26 states and 182 LGAs.

The infectious illness physique famous that the deaths accounted for a Case Fatality Fee (CFR) of 5.1 per cent.

In keeping with the centre, probably the most affected states are Kano (17,770), Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,380), Katsina (1,088), Borno (1,036), Jigawa (53), Plateau (31), and Kaduna (44).NCDC famous that these states accounted for 99.4 per cent of all confirmed circumstances.

Extra particulars

The centre additionally revealed that six confirmed circumstances had been recorded from two states throughout 5 LGAs, and there have been no deaths within the reporting week.

The report additional revealed that youngsters are predominantly affected by the illness.“Of the confirmed circumstances, the bulk, 15,845 (63.9 per cent), occurred amongst youngsters aged one to 14 years, highlighting the illness’s extreme impression on youthful populations.

“Alarmingly, solely 4,963 (20 per cent) of the confirmed circumstances had been absolutely vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, suggesting gaps in vaccination protection,” NCDC stated.

It stated a multi-faceted strategy is important to successfully handle and management the unfold of diphtheria.

NCDC stated efficient coordination amongst healthcare suppliers, native authorities, and different stakeholders is the inspiration of a profitable response. This coordination permits the speedy detection and reporting of recent circumstances, monitoring of the illness’s unfold, and monitoring response efforts.

It stated enhanced surveillance programs additionally play a crucial function in supporting these efforts, including that by strengthening surveillance, healthcare officers can rapidly determine areas of concern, allocate assets effectively, and implement focused interventions.

NCDC added that vaccination is a vital part of diphtheria management, stating that implementing vaccination campaigns is important to make sure that vulnerable populations, notably youngsters, are protected towards the illness.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a severe bacterial an infection attributable to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily impacts the mucous membranes of the throat and nostril however also can have an effect on different components of the physique.

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Diphtheria is extremely contagious and might unfold by way of contact with an contaminated individual or contaminated meals and drinks.

The signs of the illness sometimes start inside two to 5 days after publicity to the micro organism and will embody a extreme sore throat, excessive fever, often over 38°C (100.4°F), issue swallowing, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the an infection can block the airway, resulting in shortness of breath.

A attribute greyish membrane could kind on the tonsils, throat, or nostril. The lymph nodes within the neck could turn into swollen and tender.