Diphtheria cases cross 10,000 as agency demands urgent vaccination of children
By Chioma Obinna
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, on Friday warned that Nigeria’s cholera outbreak is far from over despite a significant decline in weekly cases, with more than 65,000 suspected cases recorded across 35 states and about 195 Local Government Areas this year.
The agency said the country could face another surge between late August and October as the rainy season continues, warning that flooding, unsafe water and poor sanitation could reverse the gains made in containing the disease.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, who gave the warning on Friday, said the decline in cholera deaths was encouraging but should not create a false sense of security.
“Cholera transmission is ongoing, and we must therefore consolidate the gains made so far and prevent another rise in cases,” Idris said.
He said experience from previous outbreaks showed that cholera could peak during the current period, particularly where flooding contaminates water sources and overwhelms sanitation systems.
Idris disclosed that more than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases had also been recorded this year, although the case fatality rate had declined considerably compared with the same period last year.
He identified Kano, Borno and Bauchi as among the states carrying the heaviest burden of diphtheria, attributing continued transmission largely to inadequate vaccination coverage.
“The central issue is that too many children remain unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated,” he said.
According to him, vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, displacement, population movement and difficulty reaching underserved communities continue to undermine efforts to protect children against the vaccine-preventable disease.
Idris stressed that Nigeria could not rely solely on treatment to defeat cholera, noting that unsafe water, open defecation, damaged water infrastructure and poor sanitation in schools, markets and other public places remain major drivers of transmission.
“While treatment saves lives, we cannot treat our way out of cholera,” he said.
He explained that early access to treatment had improved outcomes, particularly in Borno State, which has recorded the majority of this year’s cholera cases.
NCDC said it was coordinating the response with state governments and partners through strengthened surveillance, laboratory support, case management, infection prevention and control, community engagement and deployment of National Rapid Response Teams to affected states.
For cholera, response activities include investigation of transmission sources, water-quality assessments, chlorination, rehabilitation of water sources, hygiene promotion and oral cholera vaccination in high-burden communities.
In Borno, NCDC teams have assessed water supply points to identify gaps in water quality, sanitation and chlorination, while in Bauchi, oral rehydration points have been established, treatment capacity strengthened and active case search intensified.
For diphtheria, reactive vaccination campaigns are being conducted in affected communities alongside case detection, treatment and provision of essential laboratory and treatment commodities.
Idris, however, said federal intervention alone would not be sufficient to end the outbreaks, urging state and local governments to commit resources to high-risk communities.
He called for urgent action to provide safe water and sanitation, repair critical water infrastructure, tackle open defecation and ensure that high-risk communities have functional treatment and rapid-response capacity.
On diphtheria, he urged governments to strengthen routine and targeted immunisation and identify children who have missed recommended vaccine doses.
“Many of the interventions that will make the greatest difference must happen in our states, Local Government Areas, health facilities, communities and homes,” Idris said.
The NCDC boss also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for both diseases, report suspected cases promptly and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures.
He advised Nigerians to begin oral rehydration immediately when someone develops frequent watery diarrhoea and seek care without delay.
Parents and caregivers, he added, should ensure that children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria, stressing that the vaccines are safe, effective and available free through routine immunisation services and vaccination campaigns.
Idris appealed to traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups and the media to counter misinformation and promote preventive measures.
He said: “If we act early, sustain the response and work together, we can prevent infections, save lives and bring these outbreaks under control.”
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