Nigeria
+ 4 extra
- Format
- State of affairs Report
- Supply
- Posted
- Initially printed
- Origin
- View original
HIGHLIGHTS
As of December 17 2023, a cumulative complete of 24 940 suspected instances of diphtheria leading to 787
fatalities have been reported throughout Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, Mauritania, and South Africa. Nigeria is the
most severely affected accounting for 83.1% of instances and 72.4% of deaths.
Latest epidemiological tendencies reveal a notable surge in weekly instances in Guinea, contrasting with a
decline noticed within the remaining affected international locations. The escalating and spreading case numbers in
Guinea are a trigger for concern, highlighting the necessity for a complete and multifaceted strategy
to successfully deal with this rising public well being problem. Moreover, Mauritania has not reported
any new instances prior to now 5 weeks, and the diphtheria outbreak in Pollsmoor Jail, Western Cape
Province, South Africa, has been efficiently contained.
Over 56% of documented instances are unvaccinated, greater than 57% of suspected instances are beneath the
age of 15, and females represent over 61% of the instances.
WHO is actively supporting the affected international locations in strengthening response coordination, bolstering
testing and case identification, and facilitating the mobilization of acceptable antibiotics and diphtheria
antitoxin (DAT) for case remedy. Efforts are additionally underway to reinforce vaccine protection.
Member States are strongly urged to reinforce surveillance efforts for vaccine-preventable illnesses
and actively promote each entry to and the uptake of vaccines.