Urgent Action Needed as Diphtheria Claims Lives in Nigeria
Diphtheria kills 1,269 in Nigeria since 2022, with 24,804 confirmed cases as of Jan 2025. Officials’ slow response reveals significant public health gaps. A recent case at a Lagos school highlights urgent vaccination and awareness needs. Poor vaccine coverage, weak surveillance, and low public knowledge exacerbate the crisis. Immediate action is required to prevent further deaths.
Nigeria is facing a severe health crisis as diphtheria has claimed 1,269 lives across 18 states since 2022, with 24,804 confirmed cases as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as of January 2025. The slow response from authorities highlights significant weaknesses in the nation’s public health system. The recent death of a 12-year-old student from King’s College, Lagos after contracting diphtheria underscores the urgent need for action.
The young boy displayed symptoms on February 22, 2025, and received timely treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Despite receiving antibiotics and antitoxin, he tragically died on March 6, 2025, due to myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. Following this incident, 34 close contacts were identified, 14 of whom developed symptoms requiring hospitalization, signaling the contagious nature of diphtheria.
Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, mainly affecting the nose and throat and characterized by toxin production that can lead to serious complications. Symptoms include severe sore throat, fever, swollen neck, breathing difficulties, and grayish patches in the throat. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces, making schools and crowded places high-risk environments.
Despite being preventable through vaccination, Nigeria’s diphtheria cases continue to rise due to several critical factors. Low vaccination coverage remains a significant issue as many children miss out on the vital DTaP vaccine. Additionally, weak disease surveillance hampers early detection and containment of outbreaks, while inadequate public awareness about the disease’s symptoms and the need for vaccination contributes to delays in seeking medical help.
In response to the Lagos outbreak, immediate action is needed from government authorities, including launching aggressive nationwide vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. Moreover, enhancing disease surveillance for swift outbreak detection and using education initiatives across schools and media to raise awareness about diphtheria’s risks and symptoms will be crucial.
Families should also participate actively in combatting diphtheria by ensuring their children receive vaccinations, maintaining hygiene through practices like handwashing, and seeking prompt medical care when symptoms arise. Diphtheria poses a preventable risk that should not claim more lives. The growing death toll epitomized by the King’s College tragedy must prompt authorities to act decisively.
The ongoing diphtheria crisis in Nigeria necessitates urgent action from authorities and the public alike. The evident shortcomings in vaccination coverage, disease surveillance, and public awareness require immediate intervention to safeguard health and prevent further fatalities. The King’s College incident serves as a pivotal reminder of the dire consequences of inaction in the face of a preventable disease. Immediate government measures and active public engagement are critical to addressing this health emergency effectively.
Original Source: allafrica.com
