Sunday, June 12, 2026 - The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has issued an urgent public health advisory following a rise in diphtheria cases in parts of the state, with children accounting for the majority of reported infections.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry said it
has intensified efforts to contain the outbreak and urged parents, caregivers,
schools and community leaders to take immediate steps to protect children, who
are considered the most vulnerable to the disease.
According to the ministry, diphtheria is a highly contagious
bacterial infection that primarily affects the nose and throat. It spreads
through coughing, sneezing, close contact with infected individuals or by
sharing contaminated personal items.
Health officials warned that children who are unvaccinated
or only partially vaccinated are at the greatest risk of developing severe
complications, which can be fatal if left untreated.
The ministry advised residents to watch for symptoms
including sore throat, fever, chills, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough,
difficulty breathing, swelling of the neck—commonly referred to as "bull
neck"—and the presence of a thick grey or white membrane covering the
throat or tonsils.
It stressed that early diagnosis and prompt medical
treatment are critical to improving survival rates and urged parents and
caregivers to take anyone displaying symptoms to the nearest health facility
without delay. The ministry also cautioned against self-medication or relying
solely on traditional remedies.
As part of its response to the outbreak, the ministry called
on parents to ensure their children receive all routine immunizations and
encouraged those who have missed scheduled vaccinations to visit the nearest
Primary Health Care (PHC) centre for free catch-up vaccination services.
Residents were also advised to maintain good hand hygiene, practise proper
cough etiquette and avoid close contact with people showing symptoms of the
disease.
The ministry said it is working with the Federal Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention (NCDC), the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, development
partners and healthcare facilities to strengthen disease surveillance, expand
immunization coverage, provide treatment and contain the outbreak.
While urging residents to remain calm, the ministry
emphasized that timely reporting of suspected cases and complete vaccination
remain the most effective ways to prevent the spread of diphtheria.
"Together, we can stop diphtheria," the ministry said, encouraging
anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
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