Oyo State disputes claims of diphtheria outbreak

A dispute has emerged in Oyo State regarding the scale of a potential diphtheria outbreak. The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) expressed concern over reports of the disease affecting 16 local government areas, noting reported fatalities among children. The campaign group questioned the state’s immunization performance, highlighting that Oyo ranks lowest in childhood immunization among six South-West states despite receiving significant development financing through World Bank-supported projects.

In response, the Oyo State Government dismissed these claims, stating that no cases of diphtheria have been confirmed. A spokesperson for Governor Seyi Makinde clarified that official surveillance data from the Ministry of Health shows suspected cases in only 10 local government areas, rather than the 16 cited by the campaign group. The government accused the SSACO of misrepresenting public health information for political purposes and warned that unverified claims could cause unnecessary public anxiety.