Lagos State has recorded six laboratory-confirmed diphtheria cases from 53 suspected cases reported in 2026, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has disclosed.
At a news conference on the state’s preparedness and response to diphtheria, Abayomi assured residents that Lagos was not experiencing a widespread outbreak but had activated precautionary measures to prevent further transmission.
“We are appealing to all the people in Lagos State to remain calm. There is currently no outbreak of diphtheria in the state. We are taking precautionary measures,” he said, stressing that surveillance and preparedness remained central to the state’s response.
The commissioner said the government had strengthened active disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and follow-up of confirmed cases. He said the measures were necessary because diphtheria outbreaks were ongoing in other parts of the country.
According to Abayomi, Lagos must remain vigilant because of its large population and extensive travel links with states recording high numbers of diphtheria cases.
He said the state was particularly concerned about the risk of imported infections due to the constant movement of people between Lagos and affected areas.
“We are strengthening our surveillance system to ensure that suspected cases are detected early and appropriately investigated,” he said.
Abayomi said the government was also ensuring that designated health facilities had adequate capacity to manage suspected cases and possible complications.
He identified four designated facilities for managing suspected diphtheria cases across the state: Mainland Hospital, formerly Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island; Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.
The commissioner said the facilities would provide appropriate clinical management, laboratory investigation and infection-control measures when suspected cases were identified.
Abayomi emphasized that immunization remained the most effective means of preventing diphtheria and reducing severe cases.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children received the complete three-dose pentavalent vaccination schedule, administered at six, 10 and 14 weeks.
The commissioner disclosed that Lagos currently had about 64 per cent full vaccination coverage. He expressed concern that some children remained partially vaccinated or had not received any vaccination, leaving gaps in population protection.
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Abayomi said Lagos had more than 1,000 healthcare facilities providing routine immunization services across the public and private sectors. He added that vaccines were available free of charge at government health facilities across the state.
The commissioner urged parents to take advantage of the available vaccination services and ensure that their children completed the recommended schedule.
He said improving vaccination coverage would strengthen community protection and reduce the likelihood of severe diphtheria cases.
Abayomi also urged residents to adopt appropriate respiratory hygiene practices to reduce the transmission of respiratory infections.
He advised people to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and wash their hands frequently. Residents experiencing respiratory symptoms were also advised to avoid close contact with others.
The commissioner said the state was paying particular attention to schools ahead of their expected reopening. He said the Ministry of Health was working with the education sector to strengthen awareness and vaccination among students.
According to him, suspected diphtheria cases identified in schools would trigger appropriate contact tracing and infection-control measures.
He said early identification and response would help prevent potential transmission within schools and surrounding communities.
Abayomi urged residents to remain calm while maintaining vigilance and promptly reporting symptoms suggestive of diphtheria.
He listed severe sore throat, fever, weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, neck swelling, and a white or grey coating in the throat among the symptoms.
Residents experiencing such symptoms were advised to seek medical attention promptly rather than resorting to self-medication.
He particularly urged people who had travelled to affected states or had contact with confirmed cases to consult doctors without delay.
Abayomi said early medical assessment remained important because diphtheria could progress rapidly and cause serious complications if treatment was delayed.
The commissioner reiterated that the absence of a widespread outbreak should not lead residents to disregard preventive measures.
He said continued surveillance was essential to ensure that isolated confirmed cases did not develop into wider community transmission.
NAN
