Gladness Gideon
The Ekiti State Government has issued a public health advisory urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to preventive measures against diphtheria, amid a nationwide surge in confirmed cases.
Although the state has not recorded any confirmed case in 2025, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the advisory reflects the state’s commitment to maintaining its diphtheria-free status through proactive surveillance, public awareness, and intensified vaccination efforts.
In a statement released Monday night in Ado Ekiti, Filani highlighted the contagious nature of diphtheria, a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species, warning that it spreads through direct contact with infected persons, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces.
“Symptoms to look out for include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes), neck swelling, and a thick grey or white coating in the throat or on the tonsils, which in severe cases, may lead to difficulty breathing,” he stated. These symptoms typically develop within two to ten days of exposure.
Filani revealed that over 30,000 cases and approximately 1,400 deaths have been reported across 27 states in Nigeria as of mid-2025, underscoring the need for heightened public awareness and vaccination coverage.
“We are taking all necessary steps to keep our state safe and urge everyone to take responsibility by ensuring full vaccination and prompt reporting of any suspected symptoms,” he said.
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The commissioner emphasized that children, unvaccinated individuals, healthcare workers, and those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions are at highest risk. He urged parents and guardians to ensure that children receive the full course of the pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age, in accordance with the National Childhood Immunization Schedule.
Filani also called on healthcare professionals across Ekiti to stay alert, follow infection control protocols, and isolate and report suspected cases to Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers. He advised that close contacts of confirmed cases should be monitored and given prophylactic antibiotics or diphtheria antitoxin where necessary.
He reassured the public of the state’s ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and other development partners to strengthen surveillance and response systems.
“Maintaining good hygiene, staying informed, and fostering community awareness are vital tools in preventing an outbreak,” he added.