Diphtheria: Experts advocate improved childhood immunisation in Nigeria

Sequel to the outbreak of diphtheria in the Tukur Tukur settlement of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, public health experts have advocated improved childhood immunisation campaigns in Nigeria to tackle the infection.

Earlier this week, a team led by Dr Bello Jamo, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, visited the community after reports of child deaths.

The team, which included a World Health Organisation representative, confirmed a diphtheria outbreak in the Tukur Tukur settlement of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Jamo affirmed that three children had died from the suspected outbreak.

He explained further that in October 2023, the National Primary Health Care Department Agency said 20 people died among the 156 cases of diphtheria in the state.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), it is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by a bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and less often the skin.

PlanetPulse.NG understands that Diphtheria, which is caused by the bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, could lead to severe complications, including respiratory distress, heart failure, and even death if not treated quickly.

WHO stated that those who are not immunised or under-immunised are at a higher risk of the disease, with affected young children at higher risk of dying.

According to the report by Punch, an Epidemiologist and Public Health Physician at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State, Prof Aisha Abubakar, affirmed that diphtheria was a vaccine-preventable disease.

Abubakar noted that the potential diphtheria outbreak is a proof that vaccination coverage is insufficient. She stressed that insufficient vaccination increase the risk of being infected.

Abubakar said, “If a child is vaccinated, it reduces the risk of developing the infection. Therefore, there is a need for intensified surveillance and a vaccination campaign to effectively control the outbreak.

“When vaccines become available, it’s crucial for everyone to ensure their children are vaccinated, especially those who missed previous vaccinations.

“Sometimes, even if a child is vaccinated, issues with the vaccine’s potency such as problems with the cold chain can result in inadequate immunisation.”

The epidemiologist added: “There is a difference between vaccination and immunisation. A child can be vaccinated with a vaccine, but if the vaccine is not potent, the child may not be properly immunised against the disease.”

For diphtheria, she asserted that a child must receive three doses of the vaccine, to be properly immunised.

“If a child is not fully vaccinated, they remain at risk of developing the infection. Therefore, the government must implement a comprehensive vaccination campaign against diphtheria in the community and neighboring areas to prevent the potential spread of the infection,” she added.