UNICEF Reports: Diphtheria Outbreak Results in 122 Fatalities in Nigeria

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UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has recently raised an alarm about the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria, which has resulted in the tragic loss of 122 lives. The disease has primarily affected children in 27 states, with a case fatality rate of 8.7 percent, causing significant concern among health authorities.

As of July 2023, the country has reported 3,850 suspected cases, out of which 1,387 have been confirmed as diphtheria. The worst-hit states include Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which collectively account for a staggering 98 percent of the suspected cases. The majority of these cases, approximately 71.5 percent, have been found among children aged two to 14 years.

Ms. Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, expressed her deep sorrow over the situation, noting that the victims of this outbreak were predominantly children. One heartbreaking revelation was that most of the affected children, especially those who succumbed to the disease, had not received a single dose of the vaccine. This highlights the urgent need to reach out to unreached communities with vaccination campaigns.

UNICEF has swiftly taken action to combat the outbreak, partnering with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the affected states, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The agency is providing critical technical support to plan and implement the response to contain the outbreak.

In addition to supporting the testing of suspected cases at the NCDC by supplying laboratory consumables and biosafety cabinets, UNICEF is also focusing on risk communication and community engagement activities. Transporting vaccines and related equipment to the affected states is another priority, aiming to strengthen routine immunization efforts.

Furthermore, UNICEF is investing in training health workers and volunteers to enhance service delivery, risk communication, and community engagement. The agency is procuring and distributing face masks, hand sanitizers, and antibiotics to help treat and prevent the spread of the disease.

As the situation remains critical, UNICEF is committed to doing everything within its power to protect the vulnerable population, particularly the children, from the devastating impact of this diphtheria outbreak. Collaborating with various health agencies and mobilizing resources, they aim to curtail the spread of the disease and ensure that life-saving interventions reach every corner of the affected regions.

 

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