Don’t ignore the signs! Diphtheria must go!

DIPHTHERIA: Don’t ignore the signs! Diphtheria must go!

You may have heard the word “diphtheria” popping up again on the news or WhatsApp groups lately. It’s a serious infectious disease that has made an unwanted comeback in several parts of Nigeria.

. As of 2025, Nigeria has recorded hundreds of confirmed diphtheria cases, with several deaths especially in Kano, Lagos, Yobe and surrounding states. Most victims are children under 15. Sad, right?

But here’s the good news: it’s preventable. Let’s break it down!

What is Diphtheria?

Don’t ignore the signs! Diphtheria must go!

Diphtheria is a serious infection that attacks the throat and nose. It’s caused by a type of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can make it really hard to breathe, talk, or even swallow. It spreads easily like a cold especially in crowded places like schools, malls, markets etc.

It spreads through: 1) Breathing in droplets from an infected person’s cough, or sneeze
2) Touching contaminated surfaces