More than 1,260 folks have died from diphtheria in Nigeria because the illness outbreak began in late 2022, whereas suspected infections have surpassed 41,000, based on Médecins Sans Frontières.
The worldwide medical humanitarian organisation, additionally recognized as Doctors Without Borders, stated the nation had additionally recorded greater than 24,000 confirmed circumstances, warning that dwindling provides of life-saving treatment and insufficient vaccination have been making the scenario more and more harmful.
The warning was contained in an announcement signed by MSF Field Communication Officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu.
The organisation disclosed that between January and August 9, 2026, Nigeria recorded 12,977 suspected infections, 10,476 confirmed circumstances and 406 deaths.
It stated the outbreak remained a serious concern in northern Nigeria, significantly in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
MSF Medical Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr David Kizito, warned that the worldwide scarcity of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) was threatening the survival of contaminated sufferers, including that the organisation’s remaining shares have been critically low.
He defined that the treatment works by neutralising the toxin launched by the micro organism accountable for diphtheria and presents the best profit when administered inside 48 hours of the primary signs.
MSF stated restricted availability of the antitoxin had compelled its medical groups to rigorously allocate present provides, a scenario that would have an effect on sufferers who urgently want therapy.
The organisation appealed to the Federal Government, state governments, donors and worldwide companions to take fast steps to acquire antitoxin, vaccines and different important medicines.
It additionally confused the necessity to pace up the clearance of medical provides at Nigerian ports and guarantee they attain well being amenities and susceptible communities with out pointless delays.
Nationwide, MSF stated it had supplied therapy to greater than 9,000 diphtheria sufferers via well being amenities and community-based interventions because the begin of its response this yr.
