NGA: Epidemic – 11-2026 – Nigeria – Diphtheria Outbreak 2026 (2026-11-11)

Please refer to the attached file. Description Nigeria is experiencing its largest diphtheria outbreak on record. As of epidemiological week 44, 2026 (week ending 7 November), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 37, 529 suspected cases, 28, 151 confirmed cases and 1, 126 deaths (case fatality rate 3. 9%). They were in 26 states and the FCT, across 361 LGAs. Confirmed cases are 1. 8 times the figure for the same period of 2025, and since the outbreak began in 2022, 68, 277 cases and 3, 269 deaths have been confirmed. Kano State is the epicentre, with 12, 008 confirmed cases in 2026 (43% of the national total), and it reported the most confirmed cases nationally in the last four weeks (935). Bauchi State is the third most affected state (2, 463 confirmed cases). Ungogo, Dala and Nassarawa (Kano) and Bauchi LGA are among the five most affected LGAs in the country. On 5 November 2026, the NCDC Diphtheria EOC surveillance update showed that the apparent decline in cases in October was due to late reporting rather than reduced transmission. Weeks 40–43 were revised upward by 77–203%, and week 40 is now the highest week of 2026. State reporting completeness remains low (Kano 20%, Bauchi 30%), so the true burden is likely higher. Two-thirds of confirmed cases are unvaccinated. Children aged 5–14 years and females (59% of cases) are most affected, and out-of-school and Almajiri children are at particular risk. Vaccine has been deployed for reactive vaccination, but uptake is low. Kano used only 26–33% of its deployed doses, and Bauchi started vaccination on 12 October in only 6 wards. In Kano, 13, 785 contacts have been listed with none currently under follow-up. Only 50 vials of diphtheria antitoxin remain, and 282 people have died in the community. Late presentation and harmful practices, such as removal of the throat membrane by traditional barbers, continue to drive deaths. Request For Assistance Government Requests International Assistance: No NS Requests International Assistance: Yes Information Bulletin Published No Actions taken by National Society Health RCCE for Health and hygiene promotion Summary Since early September 2026, NRCS volunteers in Kano, Bauchi and other affected branches have conducted small-scale community sensitisation on diphtheria signs, early care-seeking and vaccination, using the National Society’s own resources. NRCS participates in the national Diphtheria EOC working groups and in the state EOC meetings in Kano and Bauchi. NRCS has received a formal request for support from Kano State and a request from the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board. Both ask for community-based surveillance, active case search, risk communication and social mobilisation for vaccination. NRCS is requesting a DREF to scale up house-to-house RCCE, community-based surveillance and contact follow-up, and demand generation for reactive vaccination in eight high-burden LGAs of Kano and Bauchi. Actions taken by Federation General Other Summary: The IFRC Country Cluster Delegation in Abuja and the Africa Regional Office reviewed the situation with NRCS between 12 and 30 October 2026. They are providing technical support for the DREF request and will support implementation, monitoring, financial management and reporting Planned International Response DREF: Planned Contacts Originator Aminu Abdullahi, Coordinator, Health and care, aminu. abdullahi@redcrossnigeria. org, 08060763302 NationalSociety Aminu Abdullahi, Coordinator Health and care, aminu. abdullahi@redcrossnigeria. org, +2348060763302 Federation Abdulmajid Yakubu Ahmad, senior Health Officer, abdulmajid. yakubu@ifrc. org, +2347031897706

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