Many children dead as diphtheria outbreak forces schools to shut down in Imo

According to reports, the development has forced many school in the community to shut down.

The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

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Diphtheria claimed the lives of the children less than a week after its outbreak.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. 

It affects the nose and throat and can also impact the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces.

Following the outbreak, schools in Mbutu have been temporarily closed. Parents have also been advised to keep their children indoors.

Godspower Dike, spokesman for the chairman, said an isolation centre had been set up at Mbutu Health Centre.

The chairman stated that 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 were working tirelessly to investigate and contain the outbreak, Dike said.

Alaribe urged parents to vaccinate their children immediately.

“In light of this outbreak, parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are strongly urged to do so without delay. Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health,” he said.

Dike appealed to the public to remain calm and support the containment effort.

“We encourage the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities as we work to control this outbreak. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.

Earlier in May, two children died from diphtheria in the Tukur-Tukur community of Zaria, Kaduna State.

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According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 9 March 2025, the country has recorded 25,812 confirmed cases out of 42,642 suspected across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The outbreak has resulted in 1,319 deaths since 2022.

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