Diphtheria outbreaks reported in Zamfara and FCT, Nigeria

Nigeria is facing diphtheria outbreaks in multiple regions, with Zamfara State reporting significant fatalities. The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has recorded 44 deaths and 367 clinically suspected cases. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the diphtheria-causing organism, leading the state to activate an Incident Management System and establish isolation centres across 14 local government areas. Children aged six to ten are among the most affected, prompting authorities to extend school resumption dates to mitigate transmission.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), health officials report that no new cases have been confirmed following a recent outbreak that resulted in two deaths and five laboratory-confirmed cases. While 15 suspected cases were investigated, authorities stated there is currently no evidence of secondary infection or community transmission in the territory. The FCT is maintaining enhanced surveillance and active case searches, including house-to-house visits, to prevent further spread, although it is not currently a priority area for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) response.