03.09.2026 06:51
The number of deaths due to diphtheria in Nigeria's Plateau state has been reported to have risen to 23.
The death toll in the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria's Plateau State has risen to 23. While 143 diphtheria cases have been recorded in the state, awareness and vaccination efforts are ongoing to prevent the spread of the disease.
The highly contagious diphtheria disease continues to spread in Nigeria's Plateau State. Plateau Health Commissioner Nicholas Baamlong made a statement regarding the latest situation in the state.
Baamlong reported that 143 diphtheria cases have been detected so far in Plateau, and 23 people have died from the disease.
EFFORTS INTENSIFIED AGAINST THE OUTBREAK
Stating that the state government has intensified its efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, Baamlong said awareness campaigns have been launched for communities in the region to limit transmission.
More than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases have been recorded in Nigeria this year. Due to recurring outbreaks in recent years, health authorities are organizing vaccination campaigns in affected states and communities.
MORE THAN 42,000 CASES IN 3 YEARS
While more than 42,000 diphtheria cases were detected in the country during the 2022-2025 period, approximately 1,400 people died from the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had confirmed that a second wave of the diphtheria outbreak was occurring in the country due to the increasing number of cases.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also sent 9.3 million doses of vaccine to Nigeria last year as part of the fight against the outbreak.
WHAT IS DIPHTHERIA?
Diphtheria, also known as "membrane croup" among the public, occurs as a result of the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae settling in the throat, nose, eyes, and skin. The contagious disease can cause death in severe cases.