There has been a concerning surge in diphtheria cases across several states in Nigeria since July, posing a serious health threat. Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria, and its resurgence is alarming given that it is a vaccine-preventable illness.

Diphtheria was once a leading cause of death among children, but immunization has made it nearly nonexistent in developed countries. However, Nigeria is currently experiencing an influx of cases, particularly in states such as Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

The risk factors for diphtheria include crowded environments, poor hygiene, and lack of immunization. If left untreated, it can lead to severe damage to the kidneys, nervous system, and heart, with a mortality rate of about 3%.

Symptoms of diphtheria include a thick, grey coating on the throat and tonsils, fever, sore throat, hoarseness, painful swallowing, and breathing difficulties. The disease has a rapid onset, with signs appearing within two to five days.

The recent outbreak has been exacerbated by challenges such as insecurity in northern Nigeria, making vaccine distribution difficult. Vaccination coverage in these regions remains suboptimal due to insecurity, displacement, and poor hygiene practices. The scarcity of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) further complicates the situation, as there are limited manufacturers and outbreaks are reported in various regions globally.

Efforts to address the outbreak involve public health measures such as vaccination response, enhanced surveillance, case management, and risk communication coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains critical, with an increase in confirmed cases and related deaths. UNICEF Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to counter the outbreak, but challenges persist, including a lack of access to the vaccine, especially in the most affected states like Kano.

Medical experts emphasize the urgent need to strengthen diphtheria vaccination coverage nationwide, particularly in regions most affected. The scarcity of vaccines poses a significant obstacle, and addressing this issue is crucial to containing the outbreak and preventing further spread.

As the federal government grapples with the situation, the call to make the vaccine accessible to those infected becomes imperative to curb the spread of diphtheria and protect the population, especially children who are more vulnerable to the disease.