Lagos Records 10 Confirmed Cases Of Diphtheria In Three Months

Lagos Records 10 Confirmed Cases Of Diphtheria In Three Months

Lagos State has confirmed 10 cases of diphtheria between January 1 and March 27, 2025 as health authorities ramp up efforts to control the outbreak.

Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, shared this alarming update over the weekend, revealing that the number of suspected cases has fluctuated dramatically, with some days seeing up to 15 potential cases, while others reported just one.

In a detailed update, Abayomi explained that laboratory tests on 76 samples yielded 10 positive results, while 63 samples were negative. Three additional samples, collected on March 26, arel still awaiting results.

The outbreak has spread across several local government areas (LGAs), with the Eti-Osa LGA being the hardest hit, recording 44 suspected cases.

Other affected LGAs include Alimosho, Badagry, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Ojo, Mushin, and Lagos Island. These areas have seen varying numbers of both suspected and confirmed cases.

To mitigate further spread, the health commissioner emphasised that all confirmed cases must remain hospitalised for treatment. He urged the public to work with health authorities to prevent additional transmission.

As part of the state’s response, 21 individuals have already received Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) treatment, with King’s College in Eti-Osa accounting for the largest number of recipients—14 in total.

Other individuals receiving treatment are from Lagos State Model School in Meiran and various locations in Alimosho, Kosofe, and Badagry.

Abayomi noted that data from the outbreak report shows peaks in the third, fourth, and tenth weeks of 2025, each confirming four cases. Encouragingly, a recent decline in case numbers suggests that containment measures may be taking effect.

The state government has significantly intensified contact tracing, identifying 118 individuals as potential contacts of infected persons. Follow-up has already been completed for 100 of them, with 18 still pending. Furthermore, 36 individuals across affected LGAs have received prophylactic treatment to prevent further transmission.

Key sites linked to confirmed cases include King’s College and Lagos State Model School, both in Eti-Osa; Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Mushin; De-Emmaculate School in Mile 12, Kosofe; and Gbara Junior Secondary School in Eti-Osa.

According to the commissioner 36,310 individuals have been vaccinated, including 7,473 people aged 9 to 17 and 28,837 adults, with 13,633 healthcare workers among them.