Federal Government Identifies 171 Local Government Areas at Elevated Risk of Diphtheria Transmission

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The Ministry of Health has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the diphtheria outbreak in various parts of the country. They have identified 171 local government areas (LGAs) in 14 different states as being particularly susceptible to further spread of the disease.

Olufunsho Adebiyi, the Per
manent Secretary of the ministry, highlighted that among the high-risk areas, 144 LGAs in Kano, Katsina, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Yobe, Kaduna, and Bauchi states were included. Additionally, Gombe, Jigawa, Borno, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Zamfara states were noted to have 20 LGAs with a significant risk of contagion. Furthermore, there are seven LGAs in Lagos and Osun states that are also at risk.

The situation is particularly concerning, with real-time surveillance data indicating active diphtheria outbreaks in 25 LGAs across Bauchi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kaduna states. In response to this, the Ministry of Health, along with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), states, and partners, is taking urgent steps to allocate necessary resources and coordinate a robust response to the outbreak.

A comprehensive response plan has been set in motion to ensure swift detection and containment of cases. The focus is on preventing further transmission through a multi-phased approach. Central to this strategy is a collaborative effort to intensify mass vaccination campaigns targeting populations at risk. The objective is to curb the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in two distinct phases. It's important to note that diphtheria affects people of all age groups, but it is particularly concerning for unvaccinated children.

The disease is characterized by a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, neck swelling, and difficulty breathing. Left untreated, these symptoms can potentially lead to fatalities, and the risk of severe outcomes is notably higher among children who have not been adequately vaccinated against the disease. As a result, the Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of timely and effective interventions to mitigate the impact of this outbreak.

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