Diphtheria: more than 1,260 deaths in Nigeria since late 2022
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
More than 1,260 people have died of diphtheria in Nigeria since late 2022, with more than 41,000 suspected cases, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The charity warns of a shortage of diphtheria antitoxin, the most effective treatment when given within 48 hours of the first symptoms, which is forcing its teams to ration care, particularly in the north of the country.
Since the start of 2026, Nigeria has recorded 12,977 suspected cases of diphtheria, 10,476 confirmed cases and 406 deaths, as of 9 August, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international medical NGO. These figures place Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara among the most affected northern states.
In Katsina State, MSF treated 86 cases between 26 October and 12 November, of which 70 were severe and 16 were not severe. The organisation reached 1,315 contacts, of whom 1,301 were vaccinated and 1,311 received preventive antibiotic treatment. In Zamfara State, the outbreak was declared in September. MSF says it has treated more than 9,000 patients with diphtheria since the start of its response this year.
Dr David Kizito, MSF’s medical coordinator in Nigeria, believes the global shortage of diphtheria antitoxin is a matter of life and death, as the organisation’s stocks are dangerously low. This antitoxin is the only specific treatment able to counter the toxin produced by the disease, and it works best when administered within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Without stock, teams must ration care, which may compromise patients’ chances of survival. MSF calls on federal and state governments, donors and international partners to secure antitoxins, vaccines and essential medicines, and to speed up customs clearance at ports.
In Kano State, which is among the most affected, twelve cases of diphtheria have been recorded in a boarding school.
