One student has died, and 14 others have been hospitalized following a diphtheria outbreak at King’s College Annex, Victoria Island. Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria, spreading through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The state government on Tuesday, in partnership with the World Health Organization, visited the school to carry out a vaccination exercise aimed at strengthening the immunity of students and staff.
Addressing journalists after the vaccination began, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the vaccine — a combination of diphtheria and tetanus — was intended to curb further spread of the disease.
“Twelve of those 14 received antibiotics and the antiserum, and they are all being observed, both in the hospital and some of them back here, and all of them are doing well,” he said. The health commissioner confirmed that the government would expand the vaccination campaign to include the main campus of King’s College in Igboshere and other schools across the state.
Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria, transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Diphtheria symptoms typically appear 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. Common signs include a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and weakness. Within 2 to 3 days of infection, dead tissue can form a thick, gray coating in the respiratory tract, covering the nose, tonsils, and throat, which can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
Severe cases and deaths are primarily caused by the diphtheria toxin and its effects. Complications may include inflammation of the heart and nerves. Without vaccination and proper treatment, diphtheria can be fatal in about 30% of cases, with children under 5 years old being at higher risk.
Prevention includes maintaining a clean, sanitary environment and staying up to date with vaccinations to strengthen the immune system.
Curbing Diseases In Nigeria
Between Epidemiological Week 19 of 2022 and Epidemiological Week 4 of 2025, Nigeria has faced severe outbreaks of diphtheria, cholera, and Lassa fever, exposing deep flaws in the country’s disease control and public health systems.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported an alarming 41,336 suspected diphtheria cases across 37 states and 350 local government areas (LGAs) during this period. Among these, 24,846 cases were confirmed, with the most affected states being Kano (23,784 cases), Yobe (5,302), Katsina (3,708), Bauchi (3,066), and Borno (2,902). These numbers demonstrate not only the scale of the crisis but also the regional vulnerability to preventable diseases.
Cholera outbreaks have been equally devastating. In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded 378 deaths from cholera, with Lagos bearing the highest number of cases. Borno State faced an especially dire situation due to severe flooding that displaced nearly two million people, triggering a cholera outbreak with 17 confirmed cases and nearly 500 cases of acute watery diarrhea reported by October 2024. This situation highlights poor sanitation and weakened healthcare systems.
Lassa fever is not any better. Since 2023, Nigeria has documented 8,542 suspected cases, 1,170 confirmed cases, and 200 deaths — a case fatality rate of 17.1%. By 2024, this climbed to 9,685 suspected cases, 1,187 confirmed cases, and 191 deaths across 28 states and 138 LGAs. As of January 2025, the trend shows no signs of slowing, with 214 confirmed cases and 39 deaths already recorded.
The frequency and severity of these outbreaks point to systemic failures in Nigeria’s public health infrastructure. Despite the NCDC’s efforts to track and report cases, the sheer numbers reveal critical gaps in disease prevention, sanitation, vaccination, and public awareness. What can be done? To prevent such outbreaks from becoming an annual tragedy, the NCDC must step up its efforts in public health education, ensuring communities understand how to prevent infection, recognize symptoms early, and seek timely medical help.
The NCDC must enhance its surveillance systems, ensuring rapid detection and containment of disease outbreaks. This requires better coordination with local health authorities, improved data collection, and quicker deployment of medical resources to affected regions.
Vaccination programs, particularly for diphtheria, need to be expanded. Many of the worst-affected areas are under-vaccinated, leaving vulnerable populations at severe risk. The success of Nigeria’s polio eradication campaign, driven by a combination of local efforts and international funding, serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved with sustained commitment. The same level of urgency, investment, and collaboration is now required to tackle diphtheria, cholera, and Lassa fever.
Beyond disease control, Nigeria must recognize that the health of its citizens is a cornerstone of national development. It is unacceptable that in 2025, outbreaks linked to poor sanitation and weak healthcare infrastructure remain so prevalent. The government must prioritize healthcare investments, ensuring hospitals and clinics are well-equipped, medical staff are adequately trained and supported, and essential medicines and vaccines are consistently available.
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