Diphtheria Outbreak in Northern Nigeria: 30 Deaths Reported

Diphtheria is currently spreading across northern Nigeria, raising health concerns due to its acute bacterial nature and symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and fever. As of late August 2026, Katsina State reported 30 deaths from approximately 1,000 suspected cases, with the disease affecting 30 out of 34 Local Government Areas.

Dr. Shema’u Kabir, Acting Executive Secretary at the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, identified Funtua, Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi, and Daura as the most vulnerable areas. A reactive vaccination campaign began on August 25, 2026, targeting high-risk wards, with 67,670 individuals receiving the Td vaccine and 24,103 children receiving the Pentavalent vaccine.

The state government has secured 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines and established three additional isolation centers to manage cases. Challenges include low vaccination uptake and late presentation of cases, exacerbated by a porous border with Niger Republic.