In response to the alarming spread of diphtheria in 18 states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Government is considering the reintroduction of face masks as a preventive measure to curb the transmission of the disease.

The number of confirmed diphtheria cases has surged to over 8,000, with Kano State emerging as the epicentre, reporting 7,188 cases. The affected states and their respective case counts are as follows: Yobe (775), Katsina (232), Borno (118), Jigawa (23), Bauchi (20), Lagos (8), Kaduna (17), FCT (6), Gombe (5), Osun (3), Sokoto (3), Niger (2). Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Nasarawa, Kebbi, and Zamfara recorded one case.

To contain the spread of the disease, the Federal government has urged the governors of the affected states to use face masks once again. This call was made on Tuesday, October 4, 2023.

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During a press conference addressing the escalating cases, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), revealed that a staggering 73.7% of the confirmed cases were among individuals aged one to 14. He elaborated, "Of the 8,406 confirmed cases, 6,202 (73.7%) were aged one to 14 years, with infants comprising less than 1%, one to four years at 14.40%, five to nine years at 32.2%, and 10 to 14 years at 27.1%. Cases among adults above 20 years stood at 15%."

Adetifa emphasised that a significant portion of the confirmed cases had not received vaccination against diphtheria. The NCDC has initiated diphtheria surveillance and implemented essential public health measures in the affected states and the FCT.

Furthermore, through an established laboratory network, the agency conducts preliminary and confirmatory testing at sub-national and national levels. Currently, the NCDC operates 14 laboratories within the Diphtheria Laboratory Network, all equipped to support diphtheria testing. There is also ongoing optimisation of an additional five laboratories at the subnational level.