NIGERIA—The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 798 confirmed cases of diphtheria, resulting in 80 deaths, between December 2022 and June 30th, 2023.
Director-general of the NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa disclosed this in a statement and said that most of the cases (782) were recorded in Kano State.
The cases of Diphtheria were also recorded in seven others states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The states with cases of the disease are Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, and Osun, adding that the majority 71.7% of the 798 confirmed cases occurred among children aged two to 14 years.
Dr. Adetifa also said in response to the outbreak in December 2022, the NCDC had activated a multi-sectoral national Diphtheria Technical Working Group as a mechanism for coordinating surveillance and response activities across the country.
Additionally, the response activities include coordination, surveillance, laboratory investigation, risk communication, case management, and immunisation activities.
Dr. Adetifa explained that diphtheria is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, adding that it is a vaccine-preventable disease covered by one of the vaccines provided routinely through Nigeria’s childhood immunisation schedule.
The Director General regretted that despite the availability of safe and cost-effective vaccines in the country, 654 (82%) of 798 confirmed diphtheria cases in the ongoing outbreak were unvaccinated, including this recently announced FCT case.
Adetifa also urged healthcare workers to immediately notify Local Government Authority disease surveillance officers once they see a suspected case.
Dr. Adetifa said, “Historical sub-optimal vaccination coverage is the main driver of the outbreak given the most affected age group (2-14-year-olds) observed, and a national survey of diphtheria immunity that found less than half (41.7%) of children under 15 years old are fully protected from diphtheria.”
The Director-General also noted that the centre was collaborating with relevant authorities to avert the further spread of the disease while urging the public on early presentation.
Adetifa added that just like in other states reporting cases, the NCDC was also working with the FCT Health and Human Services Department to implement control measures and avert the further spread of the disease.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and ensure persons with symptoms of diphtheria present early to health facilities for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and institution of effective treatment are key predictors of a favourable outcome,” Dr. Adetifa concluded.
FCT Diphtheria Incident Management System activated
On the update of the Federal Capital Territory case, the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat has activated the diphtheria Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate outbreak response activities.
The key activities include but are not limited to active case finding in health facilities and communities, and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities to raise awareness of diphtheria.
Sample collection is also ongoing among suspected cases of diphtheria.
“As of 3rd of July 2023, only 1 confirmed case has been detected, with 7 suspected cases testing negative while others are awaiting laboratory results. No other death is recorded apart from the laboratory-confirmed case,” confirmed the FCT.
Nigeria’s House of Representative also urge caution
Meanwhile, the House has directed the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) to intensify sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns to prevent and eradicate the scourge of diphtheria.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to ensure that the outbreak of diphtheria was contained effectively and reduce the fatality ratio in confirmed cases.
This was a sequel to a motion on the Need to Address the Emerging Outbreak of Diphtheria in Nigeria, by Hon. Muktar Tolan Shagaya at plenary on Thursday.
Hon. Shagaya noted that based on the recent reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO), since the beginning of 2023, about 557 confirmed cases of diphtheria had been detected in Nigeria, affecting twenty-one of the 36 states and Abuja.
According to Shagaya, since the outbreak of diphtheria about 75 deaths have been recorded in 21 affected states with the most recent death of a four-year-old boy in the Federal Capital Territory.
Hon. Shagaya also expressed, “Diphtheria cases are under-reported in Nigeria despite the threats it poses to public health, including respiratory complications, heart rhythm problems and other fatal outcomes in situations of late detection.”
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