A serious diphtheria outbreak in Mbutu Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, has tragically resulted in the deaths of multiple children. The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, confirmed the outbreak in a statement released on May 26, noting that the outbreak claimed the lives of these children within less than a week. While the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed according to a Daily Trust report on May 28, 2025, the severity of the situation has prompted immediate action.

As part of urgent containment efforts, authorities have ordered the immediate closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Mbutu. Parents in the community have also been advised to keep their children indoors to help curb the further spread of the highly infectious disease.

Diphtheria is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily affects the nose and throat but can also impact the skin. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or via direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.

A coordinated response has been launched by local health authorities, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Imo State Ministry of Health, and health workers from Aboh Mbaise LGA. These bodies are working tirelessly to investigate and contain the outbreak. Godspower Dike, the spokesman for the chairman, confirmed these efforts.

An isolation centre has been established at Mbutu Health Centre to manage the situation. Health personnel have been deployed to this centre to quarantine children who may have been exposed to the disease and to provide necessary care for affected families.

The LG chairman, Iheukwumere Alaribe, has strongly urged parents in the community who have not yet vaccinated their children to do so without delay. He emphasized that vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases like diphtheria and protecting children’s health, stating that immunisation remains the most effective safeguard.

Officials have called for public calm and cooperation with health authorities as they work to control the outbreak. Godspower Dike and the state government have assured residents that regular updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

This outbreak is not an isolated incident in Nigeria. In early May, diphtheria also claimed the lives of two children in Tukur-Tukur Community, Zaria, Kaduna State. According to the latest Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) report, covering the period from week 19 of 2022 to week 10 of 2025, Nigeria recorded 25,812 confirmed cases of diphtheria from 42,642 suspected cases. These cases were reported across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 350 LGAs, with 184 LGAs in 26 states reporting confirmed cases.

As of March 9, 2025, diphtheria had resulted in 1,319 deaths nationwide, as per the NCDC data. In light of these figures, health authorities across the country have consistently reiterated the critical importance of routine immunisation to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria.