Damaturu: The Yobe Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Muhammad Gana, has announced that the state has recorded 511 cases of diphtheria from January to September 8, resulting in 13 deaths.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the fatalities represent a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 2.5 percent, which is lower compared to other states affected by the disease in the country. Gana reported that 12 local government areas within the state have been impacted by the outbreak. Efforts are underway to initiate vaccination campaigns in the affected areas.
The current diphtheria case count marks a significant decline compared to previous years. In September 2025, the state recorded 1,100 cases, while 2023 saw a peak with 3,080 cases. This reduction is attributed to sustained outbreak response activities, including free drug provision, health worker training on response strategies, intensive vaccination in remote regions, community engagement, and sensitization campaigns.
Additional measures include aggressive contact tracing by health workers, sharing updates with stakeholders, conducting regular coordination meetings, and mobilizing resources for outbreak response. Dr. Gana expressed gratitude to WHO, UNICEF, and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) for their support in the state’s vaccination campaign, particularly in nomadic settlements.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and upper respiratory tract, spreading mainly through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and, in some cases, through direct contact with infected skin lesions or contaminated secretions.