Since 2022, diphtheria has led to 1,269 deaths in Nigeria across 18 states and 24,804 confirmed cases as of January 2025. A recent incident at King’s College, Lagos, emphasizes the crisis, prompting calls for urgent governmental action regarding vaccination, disease surveillance, and public awareness. Individuals also play a critical role in preventing further fatalities.
Nigeria is facing a severe health crisis related to diphtheria, with 1,269 fatalities recorded across 18 states since 2022. As of January 26, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 24,804 cases, prompting concern over governmental inaction and weaknesses in the public health system.
A recent case at King’s College in Lagos illustrates the ongoing crisis—a 12-year-old student tragically died following diphtheria complications after being hospitalized on February 22, 2025. Despite receiving antibiotics and antitoxin, the student succumbed to myocarditis on March 6, 2025, showcasing the disease’s dangers. 34 close contacts were identified, with 14 exhibiting symptoms requiring hospitalization.
Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, poses significant health risks as it affects the respiratory system and can result in airway obstruction and severe complications. Symptoms include extreme sore throat, fever, swollen neck, difficulty breathing, and grayish-white throat patches, spreading via respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
The continued high mortality rates highlight three critical failures in Nigeria’s healthcare response: Poor vaccination coverage, with many children missing the essential DTaP vaccine, weak disease surveillance preventing timely outbreak detection, and inadequate public awareness about the disease’s symptoms and vaccination needs.
The situation in Lagos serves as a wake-up call for urgent governmental action. Key steps include implementing aggressive vaccination drives in at-risk areas, strengthening disease surveillance for rapid response, and enhancing public health education on diphtheria prevention.
In addition to government initiatives, individuals and families should ensure children are vaccinated regularly, practice good hygiene, and seek prompt medical help if symptoms arise. Diphtheria’s high mortality rate in 2025 highlights the need for immediate action—avoiding future tragedies and preventing the disease from claiming more lives remains paramount.
The question now stands: Will the authorities act to address this escalating diphtheria crisis effectively?
In conclusion, Nigeria’s ongoing diphtheria epidemic illustrates serious gaps in public health and government responses. With 1,269 deaths and 24,804 cases reported, the urgency for aggressive vaccination campaigns, improved disease surveillance, and increased public awareness is crucial. Both authorities and communities must take decisive actions to prevent further fatalities and safeguard the health of the population. The situation demands immediate attention to ensure that preventable health issues do not escalate into further tragedies.
Original Source: allafrica.com
