Nigeria's Diphtheria Outbreak Claims 40 Lives

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 216 diphtheria cases with 40 related fatalities deaths since December 2022.

About 184 diphtheria cases were reported as children, confirmed a news report on February 14, 2023.

The NCDC confirmed a previous diphtheria outbreak in Borno, north-eastern Nigeria, in 2011, with 98 cases and 21 deaths (the case-fatality ratio was 21.4%). 

Diphtheria spreads quickly between people by direct contact or through the air through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. It may also be spread by contaminated clothing and objects.

In Nigeria, Diphtheria infection is treated by administering a diphtheria antitoxin intravenously or through an intramuscular injection.

Antibiotics can also be given to eliminating the bacteria to prevent transmission and toxin production to others.

Children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria after three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, as the Nigerian immunization schedule recommends. 

The latest U.K. travel advisory says serious tropical illnesses like malaria, typhoid, Lassa fever, and yellow fever occur in Nigeria. 

And as of February 16, 2023, the U.S. CDC has issued various health alerts for Nigeria.