Abuja ‒ When his seven-year-old brother Jubrin was recognized with diphtheria in July 2023, Aminu Dayyabu Alharini had by no means heard of the illness, the most recent outbreak of which has claimed greater than 500 lives in Nigeria.

Following the prognosis, Jubrin was instantly transferred from the well being facility close to their residence in Alharini settlement, in Kano State, Nigeria, to a specialist hospital after he all of the sudden developed a excessive fever following two days of complaining of a sore throat.

Cumulatively from 9 Might 2022 to 25 October 2023, 15 569 suspected (9772 confirmed) diphtheria instances which have been reported throughout Nigeria, 547 of whom have died. Confirmed instances have been recorded in 19 states, with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Yobe and Bauchi states the worst affected. 

Kano state, the place Jubrin lives, bears the very best burden of the illness, with 8022 confirmed instances. Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable bacterial an infection, is extremely contagious and might result in extreme respiratory problems as a result of formation of a greyish membrane within the throat. With out therapy, it obstructs respiratory and may end up in loss of life. 

Those that obtain immediate therapy, like Jubrin, make full restoration. Following his restoration, Jubrin’s brother, a village head, is now utilizing the expertise and place in the neighborhood to boost consciousness and educate folks on the significance of childhood immunization towards illnesses equivalent to diphtheria. 

“Interrupting transmission in Kano state is essential to scale back the chance of unfold on the neighborhood degree,” explains Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, Kano State Commissioner of Well being.
WHO is working with companions to help the federal government at nationwide and subnational ranges to strengthen the outbreak response. It has disbursed US$ 1.3 million for the response to boost key outbreak management measures together with illness surveillance, laboratory testing, contract tracing, case investigation and therapy, coaching in addition to collaborating with communities to help the response efforts. 

“WHO has been a precious accomplice,” says Dr Yusuf. 

With help from WHO and the United Nations Kids’s Fund, Kano state has carried out three phases of reactive routine immunization campaigns in February, April and August 2023, utilizing the mixture tetanus-diphtheria and pentavalent vaccines. All three doses are vital for full safety towards diphtheria. WHO has additionally offered and helped the nation procure medicines to deal with the illness.

Virtually 75 000 zero-dose kids underneath the age of two obtained the primary dose of the pentavalent vaccine, whereas round 670 000 eligible kids (4‒14 years) had been vaccinated with the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine in 18 high-burden native authorities areas in Kano state.

The Group can also be offering technical experience and has developed tips and strategic paperwork for the federal authorities, states and companions, to make sure efficient coordination.

“WHO is dedicated to work with the Authorities of Nigeria and companions to make sure that we reply swiftly and in a coordinated method to this regarding outbreak of a vaccine-preventable illness,” says Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Consultant in Nigeria. “We can’t cease till we’ve got reached all kids who haven’t been vaccinated towards diphtheria and proceed encouraging all dad and mom to carry their kids for routine childhood immunizations.”

Safiya Mohammed, a mom of two in residing in Ungogo Native Authorities Space, a hotspot for diphtheria in Kano state, ensured her kids had been vaccinated.

“I had by no means heard of diphtheria,” Safiya says. “I don’t need my kids or these within the neighbourhood to fall sick or die from the illness. To guard my kids, I additionally want to ensure the youngsters they play with are protected.”