The Nigeria Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDC) has said that over 10,000 confirmed cases of diphtheria have been recorded in the country in 2026.

Also, over 65,000 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded this year across 35 states and approximately 195 local councils in the country.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this while giving an update on cholera and diphtheria situations in the country, disclosed that Cholera transmission is ongoing.

He stated that the continuing burden of diphtheria highlights the need to further improve vaccination coverage, particularly among unvaccinated and incomplete vaccinated children.

He observed that Cholera cases have declined considerably from the peak recorded earlier in the season, while the proportion of reported cases resulting in death is significantly lower than it was at the same time last year.

Idris, however, noted that for diphtheria, although the country has continued to record a substantial number of cases, the fatality rate has also declined considerably.

He stated that most confirmed cases are concentrated in a few states, particularly Kano, Borno and Bauchi, adding that too many children remain unvaccinated or among incomplete vaccinated.

The NCDC boss pointed out that vaccine hesitancy, insecurity, hard-to-reach communities, displacement and population movement make it more difficult to reach every child who needs protection.

Idris emphasised that diphtheria is vaccine-preventable, adding that bringing transmission under control requires improved vaccination coverage and reaching every eligible child who has missed a vaccine dose.

He observed that reactive vaccination is ongoing in affected areas, while essential treatment and laboratory commodities are being provided.

Idris urged state and local councils to identify communities with low vaccination coverage and ensure that children who missed routine doses are reached and fully vaccinated.

He noted that while cholera and diphtheria have different drivers and require some disease-specific interventions, there are also important elements of the response that cut across both outbreaks.

“Across both diseases, NCDC continues to coordinate the public health response with state governments and partners, providing technical support where it is most needed. Surveillance and laboratory capacity are being strengthened, healthcare workers are being supported on case management and infection prevention and control, and affected communities are being engaged with the information they need to protect themselves and seek care early,” he said.

He stressed that National Rapid Response Teams had also been deployed to affected states as the need arose to support investigation and response activities.

Idris explained that for cholera specifically, the response is focused on ensuring early access to treatment while addressing the water, sanitation and hygiene conditions that continue to drive transmission.

He observed that the NCDC teams in Borno
have investigated transmission sources and assessed water supply points, helping to identify gaps in water quality, sanitation and chlorination.

“In Bauchi, working with the state government, oral rehydration points were established, treatment capacity was strengthened and active ease search was intensified. Oral cholera vaccination has also been implemented in high-burden areas, while water chlorination, rehabilitation of water sources and hygiene promotion continue in affected communities,” he added.