The Lagos State Government has stepped up disease surveillance and preparedness measures against diphtheria following the spread of the disease in parts of Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, gave the assurance on Wednesday during a media briefing on the state’s diphtheria preparedness and response, stressing that residents should remain vigilant but not panic.
Abayomi clarified that there is currently no outbreak of diphtheria in Lagos, despite the state recording 53 suspected cases in 2026, of which six were laboratory-confirmed.
He said the government was strengthening surveillance as a precautionary measure, particularly because of the high level of movement between Lagos and states currently affected by the disease.
“We are appealing to all Lagosians to remain calm. There is no current outbreak of diphtheria in Lagos. We are simply taking precautionary measures,” Abayomi said.
The commissioner identified Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Benue and Zamfara among states where outbreaks had been reported, noting that frequent movement between the affected areas and Lagos made early detection and response essential.
He explained that diphtheria is a serious bacterial respiratory infection that can cause life-threatening complications if treatment is delayed.
According to him, the disease can produce a toxin that attacks the heart, while swelling and the formation of a thick membrane in the throat can obstruct breathing and swallowing.
Abayomi warned that undiagnosed cases could rapidly progress to airway obstruction and inflammation of the heart.
He urged residents experiencing severe sore throat, fever, weakness, neck swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing to seek medical attention promptly, particularly if they had recently travelled to an affected state or come into contact with a confirmed case.
“If you have any of these symptoms, present yourself quickly to one of our primary healthcare centres or your doctor so that we can make the diagnosis, carry out the necessary diagnostic workup and start treatment as quickly as possible,” he said.
Providing an update on Lagos, the commissioner said the 53 suspected cases recorded in 2026 included six confirmed through laboratory diagnosis, adding that all confirmed cases had been appropriately managed.
He said contacts of confirmed patients were traced and monitored throughout the incubation period to identify any possible secondary infections.
Abayomi stressed that early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of successful treatment, noting that management involves antibiotics and medication capable of neutralising the toxin produced by the bacteria.
On prevention, the commissioner said immunisation remains the most effective protection against diphtheria but expressed concern that only about 64 per cent of children in Lagos had received full vaccination coverage.
He urged parents and guardians to check their children’s immunisation records and ensure they receive all three doses of the pentavalent vaccine.
According to him, the three doses are administered at six, 10 and 14 weeks, with vaccines available free of charge at government healthcare facilities.
Lagos has more than 1,000 healthcare facilities offering routine immunisation services across the public and private sectors, he said.
However, Abayomi clarified that primary healthcare centres mainly serve as vaccination points and are not the designated facilities for diagnosing and managing suspected diphtheria cases.
He listed the four designated treatment centres as the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island; Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
He said the facilities have the capacity to diagnose suspected cases and manage complications, including severe cases requiring advanced interventions to maintain the airway and monitor the heart.
With schools expected to reopen soon, Abayomi said the Ministry of Health was collaborating with the education sector to strengthen awareness and vaccination among schoolchildren.
He added that suspected cases in schools would trigger contact tracing and other infection-control measures.
The commissioner also advised residents to practise basic respiratory hygiene by covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, washing their hands regularly and avoiding close contact with others when experiencing respiratory symptoms.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, also appealed to parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against the disease.
“More importantly, we have to make sure that all our children are vaccinated,” Lajide said.
She urged the media to provide accurate information to prevent unnecessary panic while encouraging residents to adopt appropriate preventive measures.
Lajide stressed that the heightened surveillance should not be interpreted as a declaration of a diphtheria outbreak in Lagos, but as a precautionary measure to ensure suspected cases are detected, isolated, investigated and treated promptly before they can lead to wider transmission.
