Eight Northern States Drive 98% of Nigeria’s Diphtheria Cases as Unvaccinated Children Bear Brunt
Abuja, September 5, 2026—Eight states in northern Nigeria account for 98 percent of all confirmed diphtheria cases in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed, underscoring the heavy toll of a vaccine-preventable disease that continues to claim lives, particularly among unvaccinated children.
Principal Health Communication Officer at the NCDC, Michael Okali, told Channels Television that the affected states—Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara—remain the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak. In the epidemiological week of August 24 to 30, 2026, alone, Nigeria recorded 69 suspected cases, 48 confirmed cases, and four deaths.
Vaccination Gaps Fuel the Crisis
Data shared by the agency shows that about 68 percent of confirmed cases involved people who had never received any diphtheria vaccination, while 28 percent had unknown vaccination status. Most of the fatalities occurred among the unvaccinated.
“Everyone is at risk of infection,” Okali warned. “Those who are undervaccinated face the risk of transmitting the infection.”
He urged parents and caregivers to ensure children receive the recommended doses—available free at primary healthcare centers—and to seek early medical care for suspected cases.
Diphtheria, caused by a toxin-producing bacterium, spreads through respiratory droplets or close contact and can lead to severe complications, including breathing difficulties, heart inflammation, and death if untreated.
The disease is highly preventable through routine immunization with the pentavalent vaccine in infancy and booster doses later in life.
A Persistent National Challenge
The latest figures form part of a wider outbreak that has seen more than 10,000 confirmed cases recorded nationwide in 2026 so far.
Case fatality rates have improved compared with previous years, but health officials stress that low immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, hard-to-reach communities and population displacement continue to drive transmission.
Kano State has borne a particularly heavy burden historically, with tens of thousands of confirmed cases and over 1,800 deaths reported since the outbreak intensified in late 2022.
Recent local reports have highlighted clusters in areas such as Rano Local Government Area, where the vast majority of patients had no vaccination history and many presented late for treatment.
In Plateau State, authorities reported 143 suspected cases and 23 deaths in recent weeks, prompting the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools as a preventive measure.
Katsina has also recorded cases across dozens of local government areas, with reactive vaccination campaigns underway.
Government and Health Response
The Federal Government has activated multi-agency task forces, deployed hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses to high-burden states, and intensified surveillance, case management, and community engagement.
State governments in affected areas have established special committees, strengthened treatment centres and conducted active case searches.
NCDC officials emphasize that while improved detection reflects stronger surveillance systems, lasting control depends on closing immunization gaps.
Reactive vaccination drives, booster campaigns, and efforts to reach zero-dose children remain central to the national strategy.
Public health experts continue to call for sustained political commitment, community trust-building and logistical support to ensure every eligible child is protected.
As the outbreak persists into the second half of 2026, the message from health authorities is clear: vaccination remains the most effective shield against a disease that should no longer claim so many young lives.
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