7,202 Cases, 453 Deaths: Here’s All You Need to Know About the Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has issued a concerning statement about the Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria, which has tragically claimed the lives of over 400 people. Recall that on January 20, 2023, Neusroom reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) issued a health advisory warning Nigerians about the spread of Diphtheria, citing 135 recorded cases in Kano, Osun, Yobe, and Lagos.
However, this vaccine-preventable bacterial infection continued to spread across the country for eight months, causing alarm with 7,202 reported cases and 453 devastating deaths.
“Amidst the most severe diphtheria outbreak in recent global history, UNICEF Nigeria is sounding the alarm about the urgent need for widespread vaccination. The outbreak has so far resulted in over 11,500 suspected cases, with more than 7,000 confirmed cases, and has claimed the lives of 453 people, most of them being children,” UNICEF stated.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, in a joint statement on September 24, 2023, said that the 7,202 confirmed cases occurred in 105 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in 18 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FTC).
With 6,185 cases in Kano alone, the disease epicenter, 73.6% of the confirmed cases occurred among children aged 1 – 14 years.
As the nation grapples with this public health crisis, it is important for Nigerians to understand the intricacies of the disease, its prevention, and the measures being taken to combat its spread.
What is Diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium produces a toxin that can lead to severe respiratory and systemic symptoms. According to UNICEF, “Diphtheria infects the throat and tonsils, making it difficult for children to breathe and swallow. In advanced cases, it can cause heart and nerve damage, potentially resulting in a fatal outcome if left untreated.”
How Does Diphtheria Spread?
The Centre For Disease Control and Prevention explains that Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, primarily through respiratory droplets, such as those released during coughing or sneezing. This means that close contact with an infected individual, through coughing or sneezing, can easily lead to the transmission of the bacteria. Additionally, touching surfaces contaminated with respiratory secretions can also result in infection.
Symptoms of Diphtheria
Diphtheria symptoms can vary in severity and typically include:
Sore throat and fever
Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness (patients may experience changes in their voice)
Fatigue and weakness
Swelling of the neck
Prevention
While diphtheria is preventable through vaccination, data from the World Health Organization reveals that more than half of the cases (59.4%) in Nigeria remained unvaccinated.
The Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccine, and other diphtheria vaccines, when administered during childhood, provide immunity against diphtheria. However, booster shots are recommended for adolescents and adults to maintain immunity throughout their lives.
In addition to vaccination, practicing good hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of diphtheria.
This recent outbreak is not the first occurrence of diphtheria in Nigeria. In 2011, between February and November, the village of Kimba and its surrounding settlements witnessed a diphtheria outbreak, resulting in an estimated 21 fatalities.
