The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has revealed that diphtheria has claimed at least 1,191 lives across the country from May 2023 to date.
Speaking at the National Intra-Action Review Meeting for the diphtheria outbreak in Kaduna, Dr. Muzzammil Gadanya, the Incident Manager of the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre, disclosed that over 38,000 suspected cases have been recorded, with 23,000 confirmed cases.
The primary goal of the review meeting, Gadanya said, was to assess Nigeria’s current response efforts and improve coordination to curb the further spread of the disease. While acknowledging a significant decline in cases nationwide, he emphasized the need for sustained efforts.
Gadanya also reassured the public that vaccines are readily available for routine immunization, urging continued vigilance in controlling the outbreak.
In support of the government’s response, Dr. Manir Jega, Director of Healthcare at the Nigeria Red Cross, highlighted the organization’s contributions. “Since the diphtheria outbreak, we’ve deployed 3,700 community volunteers who have been engaging in house-to-house sensitization efforts,” he said. The Red Cross has also conducted roadshows to educate the public on the signs and symptoms of diphtheria.
