NIGERIA — The European Union (EU) has responded to the significant increase in diphtheria cases recorded in Nigeria since the beginning of 2023 by releasing €150,000 (US$ 162,612) in humanitarian funds.
The funding will support the Nigerian Red Cross in providing emergency assistance to reduce the impact of diphtheria on affected and at-risk communities through activities such as risk communication, outbreak control, surveillance, patient referral, hygiene promotion, and early case detection.
The humanitarian assistance will target around 1,585,080 people, with a focus on vulnerable individuals in sheltered communities or hard-to-reach locations.
The EU’s funding is part of its overall contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.
After several suspected cases emerged in December 2022, an official outbreak of diphtheria was declared in Kano and Lagos states on 20th January 2023 by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The disease rapidly spread to other states, resulting in a total of 733 suspected cases, starting from 136 in the first week of 2023.
The most vulnerable group is children between 5 to 18 years old, and diphtheria is highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause breathing difficulties and suffocation.
It is transmitted between humans and those who are not fully vaccinated, including children, are at the highest risk.
Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection that can cause respiratory distress, heart failure, and paralysis. Unvaccinated individuals and those residing in areas with poor sanitation are most susceptible to the disease.
Unfortunately, Nigeria has been experiencing a diphtheria outbreak of unprecedented scale, with 733 suspected cases recorded across the country, primarily affecting children aged 5-18 years.
However, the recent donation of €150,000 (US$162, 612) by the European Union to prevent the spread of diphtheria in Nigeria and assist affected communities is a significant boost to the country’s capacity to diagnose and treat the disease.
With this funding, the Nigerian Red Cross can provide emergency assistance to reduce the impact of diphtheria on at-risk communities through various outbreak control activities, including patient referral, hygiene promotion, and early case detection in affected areas.
Moreover, the EU’s contribution is part of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which will indirectly target around 1,585,080 people, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.
This funding will enable Nigeria to improve its healthcare system’s readiness and respond effectively to outbreaks of diphtheria in remote areas, thereby saving lives and preventing the disease’s spread.
Throughout 2022, Nigeria experienced multiple outbreaks of infectious diseases that posed significant challenges to healthcare workers.
These outbreaks included cholera, monkeypox, Lassa fever, and COVID-19. While some of these diseases were manageable and quickly contained, others spiraled out of control, highlighting the need for improved disease surveillance and response capabilities.
The incidence of these diseases highlights the importance of investing in public health infrastructure and preventative measures to protect communities from future outbreaks.
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