Nigeria Reports Over 10,000 Diphtheria Cases in 2026

In 2026, Nigeria has recorded more than 10,000 confirmed cases of diphtheria, as stated by Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), during a press briefing on cholera and diphtheria outbreaks. Despite a significant decline in the case fatality rate compared to the previous year, diphtheria remains a major public health concern, particularly in Kano, Borno, and Bauchi states, where inadequate vaccination coverage is a key factor in transmission.

Dr. Idris highlighted that many children are either unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated due to vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, and challenges in reaching hard-to-access communities. He stressed the importance of intensified vaccination efforts, rapid case identification, and community engagement.

The NCDC is coordinating responses with state governments and partners, deploying National Rapid Response Teams to support investigation and response activities. Improved surveillance has led to the detection of more cases, which Dr. Idris noted must be matched with effective control measures.