At least 10 children have died in Niger State following a diphtheria outbreak, prompting the government to launch an emergency response. The measures include mass vaccination, public sensitisation, and rapid case detection.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Health, Dr. Mohammed Gana, confirmed the deaths in Bida Local Government Area. He blamed the high toll on widespread parental refusal to vaccinate children, noting that vaccine hesitancy remains a major barrier to containing the disease.
Some affected children in Bida, Lapai, and Agaie were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida.
However, a shortage of essential drugs hindered treatment, leading to more deaths.
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Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, said the state government is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, SYDANY Group, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to tackle the outbreak.
Rapid Response Teams have been deployed for case detection, treatment, and follow-up. A mass vaccination campaign is also ongoing in Bida and nearby communities, targeting children most at risk.
Health officials stressed that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial disease that causes fever, sore throat, persistent cough, and in severe cases, life-threatening airway blockage. The ministry warned that losing even one child to such a disease is unacceptable.
To counter misinformation, the state has launched awareness campaigns on Radio Nigeria Power FM Bida in English, Hausa, and Nupe. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, and town announcers are also sensitising communities to embrace vaccination.
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The government appealed to parents and guardians to take their children to Primary Health Care centres for free and safe immunisation. Officials warned that failure to vaccinate not only endangers individual children but also exposes entire communities to future outbreaks.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
