The Nigerian government has confirmed 838 cases of Diphtheria in 33 Local Government Areas across 8 states. The Director General/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib made this known in Abuja the nations capital at a press conference on the ongoing Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria.
“As many of you may have already heard, there is concern over the outbreak of Diphtheria cases across the country. From May 2022 to July 2023, an estimated 2,455 suspected cases has been reported in 26 states. As of July 27, 2023, 836 of these cases have been confirmed in 33 LGAs across 8 states: Cross River, Kano, Katsina, KKaduna, Lagos, Osun, Yobe, and FCT. Tragically, 83 deaths have been reported from these confirmed cases, making vaccination against this deadly disease critically important, especially for our children”. He said.
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Dr. Shuaib explained that Diphtheria is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, mainly spread through direct contact with an infected person or exposure to airborne droplets that poses a severe risk to people of all ages, particularly in children .
“Unfortunately there are still children who are unvaccinated despite the availability of vaccines in the country’s routine immunization schedule. The disease primarily affects the respiratory system, and symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, neck swelling, and breathing difficulties. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to death, with a higher risk for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated children in crowded and unsanitary areas”. He added.
The Director General, NPHCDA advised that proper hygiene practices is crucial in preventing the spread of diphtheria. “Simple yet effective measures like hand hygiene, maintaining good cough etiquettes, environmental cleaning, eating nutritious balanced meals, isolating and quarantine of suspected cases can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Diphtheria is totally preventable through vaccination. In Nigeria, pentavalent vaccines are used to protect against diphtheria and are administered to children at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks of age, with additional doses being given during campaigns”. He added.
Dr. Shuaib said that despite the efforts of the Federal Government to provide safe and cost-effective vaccines, a significant number of children remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, compromising the country’s goal of achieving population immunity. He noted that Suboptimal vaccination coverage has been the main factor contributing to these outbreaks, with the most affected age group being those between 2-14 years.
“The NPHCDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, the states, and our partners, is mobilizing all necessary resources to respond effectively to this outbreak. A comprehensive response plan has been activated to detect cases early, contain the spread, and prevent further transmission through a multi-phased strategy”. He said.
The NPHCDA boss said: “currently, we are collaborating with the affected state teams and other stakeholders to conduct intensified mass vaccinations for identified at-risk populations in the affected states, administering pentavalent and tetanus & diphtheria vaccines. Additionally, we are conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures.
Dr. Shuaib also said that the response to the ongoing diphtheria outbreak will be carried out in two phases. “Phase 1, the immediate response, will encompass 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across four States: Bauchi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kaduna. This phase is scheduled to begin on the 7th of August 2023 and will continue until the 11th of August 2023. The Phase 2 will cover outbreak response in 171 LGAs. Six States (Kano, Katsina, FCT, Yobe, Kaduna, and Bauchi) will have a state-wide outbreak response, while there will be targeted outbreak responses in LGAs across eight States: Jigawa (8 LGAs), Borno (4 LGAs), Osun (4 LGAs), Lagos (3 LGAs), Zamfara (3 LGAs), Gombe (3 LGAs), Plateau (1 LGA), and Nasarawa (1 LGA). This phase is planned to be conducted in three rounds. The first round will commence on 21st August 2023, followed by the second (2nd) and third (3rd) rounds tentatively set for 18th September 2023 and 16th October 2023, respectively. Each of these three rounds will span five days”.
Dr. Shuaib therefore urged Parents and caregivers to take their children, from birth to 14 years, to nearby health facilities for vaccination with the pentavalent or Td vaccines and other age-appropriate vaccines.
“I urge you all to stand with the NPHCDA and healthcare workers nationwide in our fight against Diphtheria. Stay informed, follow health guidelines, and ensure that you and your loved ones are vaccinated”. He added.
