MSF Ramps Up Diphtheria Response as Suspected Cases Rise Sharply

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has intensified its emergency response to diphtheria in collaboration with state health ministries since August, following a sharp increase in cases in Borno, Kano, and Bauchi states.

In a statement released on Friday, MSF said hundreds of suspected cases reported by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DNSOs) over the past three months have overwhelmed health facilities, revealing gaps in treatment capacity and vaccine coverage.

Diphtheria, caused mainly by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a serious bacterial infection affecting the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. It can manifest as laryngitis, pharyngitis, or tonsillitis, often accompanied by an adherent membrane over the tonsils, pharynx, or nose. Severe cases may result in heart complications (myocarditis). Treatment relies on antibiotics and Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT).

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), between May 2022 and May 2025, Nigeria recorded 43,743 suspected diphtheria cases across 37 states and 360 Local Government Areas.

“Without prompt treatment, diphtheria can be fatal in up to 50 per cent of cases,” said MSF Medical Coordinator Dr. Halarou Assoumana. “Even with care, it remains deadly in five per cent of patients, highlighting the urgent need for early diagnosis, antitoxin availability, and strong vaccination coverage.”

MSF noted several challenges hindering the response, including low routine immunization rates, limited access to DAT, staff shortages, and gaps in surveillance and data collection.

In Bauchi State, MSF-supported activities at the Diphtheria Treatment Centre (DTC) at Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) recorded 295 admissions between August 21 and November 9, 2025. The surge led to the opening of an additional treatment centre at a specialist hospital.

In Kano State, MSF began supporting interventions for suspected cases in October, following a previous response from January 2023 to April 2024. By early November 2025, over 2,300 patients had been hospitalised, with more than 400 admissions recorded between October 6 and November 2. Severe cases are being prioritized at the Infectious Disease Hospital, with referrals to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for specialized care.

Dr. Jerome Ntarima, MSF’s Emergency Project Medical Referent, said most patients arrive with advanced complications, and many deaths are already reported in the communities they come from.

In Borno State, MSF has conducted routine sensitization, community-based surveillance, risk communication, and referrals. Between early July and late October 2025, 2,553 patients with suspected diphtheria were managed, including 1,651 through home-based care and 902 admitted to isolation wards at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in partnership with the state Ministry of Health.

“Diphtheria remains a recurring threat in Nigeria,” MSF said, urging national authorities, partners, and donors to scale up vaccination coverage and ensure consistent access to DAT, antibiotics, and essential medical supplies. Strengthening surveillance systems, investing in the health workforce, and retaining trained staff are also critical to controlling the disease and preventing future outbreaks.