No Confirmed Diphtheria Case in Enugu, Govt Says

Our Reporter 

The Enugu State Government has dismissed rumours of a confirmed case of diphtheria in the state, urging residents to disregard unverified information and remain calm.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, made the clarification on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing journalists on the rumoured suspected case at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla.

Ugwu said the state’s Public Health and Surveillance Unit immediately followed up on the report, but investigations could not confirm diphtheria, adding that the patient was diagnosed with tonsillitis.

He said contact tracing and other precautionary measures were ongoing, but “diphtheria has not been diagnosed or confirmed in the state.”

According to him, the suspected patient had been traced to his residence in Achara Layout, Enugu, with investigations showing that he had no recent travel history to northern Nigeria, contrary to some reports.

“Our surveillance and tracing teams have also contacted his family members and others, but no trace of diphtheria has been established,” he said.

The commissioner said Enugu remained on high alert against infectious diseases but had robust routine and supplementary vaccination programmes, particularly the Penta 3 vaccine, which protects against diphtheria.

He disclosed that the state recorded 91 per cent Penta 3 vaccination coverage in 2026, exceeding the national target.

Ugwu urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive all recommended doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines, while advising residents to avoid spreading rumours and seek medical attention promptly when symptoms occur.

He also directed healthcare workers to maintain standard precautions, promptly report suspected cases through the surveillance system and observe appropriate infection prevention and control measures.

He said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNTH and relevant partners, would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates where necessary.

Diphtheria is a serious but vaccine-preventable bacterial disease transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact. 

Its symptoms may include fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, cough, neck swelling and a greyish-white membrane in the throat.