Kaduna issues urgent health advisory as diphtheria cases rise among children

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 immunisations 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 immunisation coverage, provide treatment and contain the outbreak.

While urging residents to remain calm, the ministry emphasised 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.