A deadly diphtheria outbreak has claimed the lives of several children in Mbutu Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, less than a week after its detection.
As of Wednesday, the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed. The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, confirmed the outbreak in a statement released on Monday.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily affects the nose and throat but can also impact the skin. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces.
In response to the outbreak, schools in Mbutu have been temporarily closed, and parents have been advised to keep their children indoors to prevent further transmission.
Godspower Dike, spokesperson for the LGA chairman, said an isolation centre has been set up at Mbutu Health Centre to manage the situation. He added that the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Imo State Ministry of Health, and local health workers are working tirelessly to contain the spread.
Alaribe urged parents to vaccinate their children immediately, emphasizing the importance of immunization in preventing the disease.
“In light of this outbreak, parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are strongly urged to do so without delay. Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health,” Alaribe said.
Dike also appealed to the public to remain calm and support health authorities in controlling the outbreak.
“We encourage the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities as we work to control this outbreak. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.
This tragic incident in Imo comes after similar cases across the country. In May, two children died from diphtheria in the Tukur-Tukur community of Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), as of March 9, 2025, Nigeria has recorded 25,812 confirmed cases out of 42,642 suspected cases across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The outbreak has resulted in 1,319 deaths since 2022.
In March, SaharaReporters reported on a diphtheria outbreak at King’s College, Victoria Island Annexe, which led to the death of a 12-year-old student and the hospitalisation of 14 others. Authorities identified 34 close contacts of the deceased, placing them under observation for symptoms.
The Lagos State government has since activated an Emergency Response Committee and announced a mass vaccination campaign for schoolchildren. The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, urged residents to remain calm and assured them that the situation is under control.
Abayomi explained that the index case in Lagos was a 12-year-old boy who presented with a sore throat and fever at the school’s health facility on February 22. He was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he later died from myocarditis, a severe complication of diphtheria, on March 6.
Of the 34 identified close contacts, 14 students developed diphtheria symptoms and were promptly transferred to LUTH’s Children’s Emergency Unit. Medical examinations confirmed that 12 students showed early signs of diphtheria, and they were immediately placed on treatment, receiving antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin serum.
Stay tuned to Alayo Radio TV for updates on this developing story and the latest health news across Nigeria.