Diphtheria kills 17 in Niger as 124 cases recorded in seven months
Diphtheria Outbreak Claims 17 Lives in Niger State
MINNA, Niger State — At least 17 people have died from diphtheria in Niger State over the past seven months, according to health officials. A total of 124 cases have been reported across Bida, Suleja, and Shiroro local government areas.
Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, the state’s Commissioner for Health, announced these figures during a press conference. He noted that 103 patients have been treated and subsequently discharged.
Recently, three new cases of diphtheria were identified, with one patient currently hospitalized. In response, state authorities have ramped up surveillance, case management, immunization efforts, and public awareness campaigns to address the outbreak.
Dr. Samuel Jiya, Director of Disease Control and Immunization, attributed the outbreak largely to low vaccination rates. He cautioned that children who miss or do not complete their routine immunization are particularly at risk.
Investigations revealed that some affected children had received only a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine, which is crucial for protection against diphtheria. Furthermore, certain children aged nine and ten had never been vaccinated at all.
“Any diphtheria outbreak indicates a failure to complete vaccinations or access them in the first place,” Jiya said.
The pentavalent vaccine is administered at six, ten, and 14 weeks of age and is vital in safeguarding children against diphtheria as well as other vaccine-preventable diseases. Jiya emphasized the consequences of vaccine refusal, stating, “This not only endangers individual children but also exposes entire communities to disease outbreaks.”
He also identified factors contributing to immunization gaps, such as migration, vaccine myths, and cultural beliefs, which often lead to vaccine refusal in the state.
Additionally, Jiya reported that pregnant women are receiving Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccines during antenatal visits to help protect newborns in their early weeks.
On the topic of measles, he stated that infections have decreased, with 31 cases reported this year. Out of these, nine tested positive and received treatment, while two fatalities were recorded.
