NIGERIA’S DIPHTHERIA PROBLEM: A PREVENTABLE DISEASE THAT IS STILL TAKING LIVES
A disease with a known vaccine should not be making this much waves but here we are
Fasore Mercy Oluwajuwonlo
Saturday, 19 September 2026 · 1 min read
Nigeria’s diphtheria outbreak has continued to claim lives despite the disease being largely preventable through vaccination. According to BusinessDay, 12,977 suspected cases, 10,476 confirmed cases and 406 deaths were recorded between January and September 2026, as part of an outbreak that has persisted since 2022.
Diphtheria is caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae and spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact. About 68% of confirmed cases were among unvaccinated people, while 28% had an unknown vaccination status. Eight states—Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara—account for about 98% of confirmed cases.
The outbreak highlights gaps in vaccination, healthcare access, surveillance and early diagnosis, particularly in underserved and insecure communities. While diphtheria can be treated with antitoxin and antibiotics, early detection is crucial. Routine and catch-up vaccination, rapid identification of cases, contact tracing and targeted vaccination campaigns remain key to preventing further transmission and deaths.
Source:
https://businessday.ng/news/article/diphtheria-outbreak-what-to-know-as-death-toll-hits-1384-in-two-years/?amp=&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Written by: Solomon Ibironke Joanna
Edited by: Afolalu Eniola Anthonia
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📰 MEDIZINE Online — Communicating life conversations. » NIGERIA’S DIPHTHERIA PROBLEM: A PREVENTABLE DISEASE THAT IS STILL TAKING LIVES A disease with a known vaccine should not be making this much waves but here we are Read the full story: https://medizine.eksumsa.org/article/nigeria-s-diphtheria-problem-a-preventable-disease-that-is-still-taking-lives?ref=wa
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📰 MEDIZINE Online · Interviews & Features **NIGERIA’S DIPHTHERIA PROBLEM: A PREVENTABLE DISEASE THAT IS STILL TAKING LIVES** A disease with a known vaccine should not be making this much waves but here we are By Fasore Mercy Oluwajuwonlo Read the full story 👇 https://medizine.eksumsa.org/article/nigeria-s-diphtheria-problem-a-preventable-disease-that-is-still-taking-lives?ref=wa — Communicating life conversations.