Yobe records 511 diphtheria cases, 13 deaths in 9 months
Yobe State has documented 511 cases of diphtheria and 13 deaths from January to 8 September, according to health authorities. The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Muhammad Gana, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Thursday. Mr Gana explained that the 13 deaths corresponded to a […]
In Yobe State, Nigeria, health officials reported 511 diphtheria cases and 13 deaths between January and September 2025. Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Muhammad Gana, disclosed this information during an interview with NAN in Damaturu. The death rate stood at 2.5 percent, lower than in other affected states. The outbreak affected 12 local government areas, and vaccination plans were underway.
Since 2023, when the state recorded a peak of 3,080 cases, the total has significantly decreased. Gana credited sustained outbreak response activities, which included free medication, health worker training, vaccinations in remote areas, community outreach, and aggressive contact tracing. He also highlighted support from WHO, UNICEF, and AFENET for the vaccination campaign.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected skin lesions.
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