Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara states are the states most affected by diphtheria with 98 percent of the suspected cases. Mrs. Cristian Munduate, the representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, told Katsina that most of the affected patients are children. In July 2023, the UN agency said there were 3,850 suspected cases of diphtheria in Nigeria, including 1,387 confirmed cases. This disease has killed 122 people, and the number of deaths in 27 states in Nigeria is 8.7%. Munduate said that a large number of affected children, especially those who lost their lives, have not received any vaccine, highlighting the urgent need to reach the unvaccinated population in the country. Describing the situation as heartbreaking, it was pointed out that only 22% of the cases received their daily vaccinations for children.
The UNICEF national representative confirmed his commitment to providing laboratory facilities and biosafety facilities to support the investigation of suspected cases at the NCDC. In addition, the agency will support and facilitate risk communication and community engagement plans while delivering vaccines and related supplies to affected states, promoting routine immunization efforts. Munduate stressed that UNICEF will train health workers and volunteers to improve service delivery, risk communication, and community involvement. In addition, the company will purchase and supply face masks, hand sanitizers, and antibiotics to treat the disease. UNICEF is working with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the affected states, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to provide technical support for the planning and implementation of the response to the disease.
Munduate highlighted that the states mentioned have 71.5 percent of their cases occurring among children aged two to 14 years. She said: “UNICEF Nigeria is amplifying its efforts to counter a growing outbreak of diphtheria that has affected children in 27 states. As of July 2023, 3,850 suspected cases were reported with 1,387 confirmed as diphtheria. The disease has tragically claimed 122 lives, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 8.7 per cent. “The outbreak has affected mainly Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which account for 98.0 percent of the suspected cases. Most confirmed cases, approximately 71.5 percent, have occurred among children aged 2 – 14 years.”
