Dutse, Sept. 4, 2026
Jigawa State Ministry of Health has urged residents to remain vigilant against diphtheria but advised them not to panic, saying the state is currently not experiencing an outbreak.
The ministry, in a public health notice signed by Dr Abubakar D. Said Kanya, Director of Public Health and Disease Control, said diphtheria cases had been reported in the state at different times from January 2026 to date.
It11 however, said the current epidemiological situation did not indicate an epidemic or outbreak, noting that only a few patients were currently on admission for diphtheria-related illness.
According to the ministry, several Local Government Areas have reported no cases, indicating an uneven geographical distribution rather than widespread transmission across Jigawa.
The ministry said the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), had activated an emergency task force.
It said the task force was responding to ongoing diphtheria outbreaks in parts of neighbouring Kano and Katsina states through strengthened surveillance, intensified immunisation and improved access to treatment.
The ministry noted that Kano and Katsina shared borders with Jigawa, while significant movement of people occurred among the three states for trade, education, healthcare, religious activities and other social interactions.
It said the Department of Public Health and Disease Control, Epidemiology Unit and surveillance structures across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas were closely monitoring the situation.
The ministry said it had also strengthened preparedness to ensure rapid detection and response to any change in the epidemiological situation.
Diphtheria is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and respiratory system, and can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact.
The ministry urged residents to seek prompt medical attention when symptoms such as sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, weakness, neck swelling or swollen glands occur.
It also listed difficulty breathing, hoarseness or voice changes and the presence of a thick greyish-white membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose among symptoms requiring urgent medical attention.
To prevent infection, the ministry advised residents to ensure children were fully immunised against diphtheria and practise regular handwashing with soap and clean water.
It further advised residents to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, avoid unnecessary close contact with suspected cases and refrain from sharing personal items or utensils.
The ministry urged anyone developing symptoms suggestive of diphtheria to seek medical attention early and immediately report suspected cases to the nearest health facility or health authority.
It specifically encouraged the public to report suspected cases to Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) and warned against self-medication or delaying professional medical care.
The ministry said the diphtheria situation in neighbouring states required vigilance, proactive action and community cooperation, while stressing that the presence of cases did not mean Jigawa was experiencing an epidemic.
“Early detection, prompt reporting, appropriate treatment, vaccination and community cooperation remain our strongest defences against the spread of diphtheria,” it said.
The ministry assured residents that the Jigawa Government remained committed to protecting public health and would continue monitoring the situation and providing timely updates as necessary.
