Nigeria: The Silent Return - How Diphtheria Killed 39 Children in Zamfara and Unicef, Health Ministry's Dash for Urgent Vaccination

What the report says

Zamfara State is responding to a diphtheria outbreak that has killed 39 children and left 261 suspected cases across 10 local government areas, according to the report published by This Day and distributed by AllAfrica. Health officials said Gusau Local Government Area has recorded the largest share of suspected infections, while treatment and contact tracing are underway at facilities including the Infectious Disease Centre in Damba and primary health centres in Gusau.

The article says many of the affected children are infants and young children, and that delayed care and missed vaccinations have worsened the spread. The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has deployed a rapid response team to identify cases, provide emergency treatment and support surveillance. The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Rilwan Musa, said the effort has backing from the state government and partners, and urged stronger vaccination and public awareness campaigns.

UNICEF and Nigeria’s health authorities are cited as warning that low routine immunisation coverage remains a major concern. The report attributes many cases to children who had not received vaccines, including so-called zero-dose children. Health workers are calling on parents to bring children with fever, sore throat or breathing problems to clinics quickly and to complete routine immunisation at primary health centres, where the diphtheria vaccine is provided free of charge.

More broadly, the article places Zamfara within a wider diphtheria resurgence across Nigeria, with several northern states and other areas affected. It underscores the public health importance of routine vaccination, early detection and faster treatment to reduce preventable deaths.