The Enugu State Government has clarified that there is currently no confirmed diphtheria case in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, made the clarification on Wednesday. He urged residents to ignore unverified reports about the disease.
Ugwu said the state remains prepared to detect and respond to any suspected case. He also urged residents to rely on information from authorised health agencies.
The clarification followed conflicting reports about a suspected diphtheria case at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla.
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Ugwu said health officials investigated the suspected case after it was reported.
The state’s surveillance team visited the relevant locations and conducted follow-up investigations. However, officials could not confirm diphtheria in the patient.
According to the commissioner, the patient was instead suspected to have tonsillitis.
Health officials still carried out contact tracing and other precautionary measures. They also visited the patient’s family as part of the investigation.
Ugwu clarified that the patient lives in Enugu State. He also said the person had not travelled to northern Nigeria.
This clarification contradicts reports that suggested the patient had recently arrived from northern Nigeria.
“So far, there is no confirmed case of diphtheria in Enugu State,” Ugwu said.
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Nigeria Continues to Monitor Diphtheria Outbreak
Although Enugu has no confirmed case, Nigeria is currently dealing with a diphtheria outbreak.
Ugwu said recent figures available to the state showed 19,799 suspected cases. He added that 15,309 cases had been confirmed, with 517 confirmed deaths.
The figures covered 26 states and 357 Local Government Areas.
He identified Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau among the worst-affected states.
These states account for most of the reported cases, according to the commissioner.
However, different reporting periods have produced different national figures.
Published NCDC weekly data from August 2026 recorded 12,136 suspected cases. It also recorded 10,000 confirmed cases and 314 deaths by epidemiological week 28.
The difference reflects the reporting period used for each set of figures.
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Ugwu said Enugu is not currently considered a high-risk state for diphtheria.
He linked this partly to the state’s routine immunisation coverage.
According to him, Enugu recorded about 91 percent coverage for the Penta3 vaccine in 2026.
The figure is above the national target of 85 percent.
Penta3 forms part of Nigeria’s routine childhood immunisation programme. The vaccine provides protection against diphtheria and other diseases.
The commissioner therefore urged parents and caregivers to ensure children receive their routine vaccinations.
He said maintaining high vaccination coverage remains important in preventing outbreaks.
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Enugu Activates Disease Surveillance System
The Enugu State Ministry of Health has activated its public health and surveillance structures.
Ugwu said the system is designed to support early detection and rapid response.
He explained that surveillance operates at three levels within the state.
The first level is the state epidemiology and surveillance team. The second consists of disease surveillance and notification officers at the Local Government level.
The third level involves surveillance focal persons in health facilities.
When health workers identify a suspected case, they report it through the established system.
The information then reaches the state level for further investigation.
Response teams can begin contact tracing when necessary.
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How Contact Tracing Works
Ugwu explained that contact tracing forms an important part of the state’s response process.
Health officials first take a detailed history of a suspected case.
They then identify people and places that may have had contact with the individual.
Officials may monitor those contacts where necessary.
The process helps health authorities identify possible transmission early.
It also allows them to take precautionary measures before a suspected infection spreads further.
The commissioner said the state’s surveillance teams remain prepared to respond if a confirmed case emerges.
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Health Commissioner Lists Diphtheria Symptoms
Ugwu urged residents who develop symptoms associated with diphtheria to seek medical attention quickly.
He listed fever and sore throat among possible symptoms.
Other symptoms include painful or difficult swallowing and cough.
People may also experience difficulty breathing.
Another possible sign is swelling around the neck.
The disease can also cause a greyish or whitish membrane to develop in the throat.
Ugwu advised residents not to rely on social media reports when they develop such symptoms.
He also discouraged self-medication.
Instead, he urged people to visit a health facility for proper assessment.
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Diphtheria Can Spread Through Close Contact
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that can spread through respiratory droplets.
Close contact with an infected person can also facilitate transmission.
Ugwu therefore advised residents to maintain good hygiene.
He encouraged regular handwashing and proper respiratory hygiene.
People who have a cough should take precautions around others.
He also said people staying close to someone who is coughing may use face masks and maintain reasonable distance.
These measures form part of general public health precautions.
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Early Treatment Can Improve Outcomes
The commissioner said early presentation at a health facility can improve the chances of recovery.
He explained that diphtheria can be treated with appropriate antibiotics and supportive care.
Some patients may require assistance with breathing.
Ugwu said the national case-fatality rate was between two and three percent based on the figures he referenced.
He noted that delayed treatment can worsen outcomes.
Inadequate treatment can also increase the risk of serious complications.
Residents who develop symptoms should therefore seek professional medical attention promptly.
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Diphtheria Vaccines Remain Free
Ugwu also addressed concerns about vaccination.
He confirmed that vaccines provided through the routine immunisation programme are free.
The state works with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency on immunisation.
The authorities can also introduce an outbreak response vaccination campaign when necessary.
Such campaigns provide additional opportunities for people to receive vaccines.
They can also help reach children who missed routine immunisation.
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Enugu Warns Against Diphtheria Rumours
The Health Commissioner appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information.
He said rumours about infectious diseases can create unnecessary fear.
Ugwu urged residents to rely on the Ministry of Health and other authorised health institutions for updates.
He also asked health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion.
Health workers should promptly report suspected cases through the established surveillance system.
They should also maintain appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
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State Monitoring Continues
The Enugu Ministry of Health will continue monitoring the situation in collaboration with relevant health institutions.
Ugwu said the state is working with UNTH, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and international partners.
The collaboration is focused on surveillance, early detection and response.
The commissioner assured residents that the government would provide updates if authorities confirm any new development.
For now, the government’s position remains clear.
There is no confirmed Enugu diphtheria case, according to the state Health Commissioner.
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Residents are therefore advised to seek medical attention when they develop concerning symptoms. They should also complete recommended childhood vaccinations and avoid sharing unverified health information.
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The state’s surveillance teams remain on alert as Nigeria continues to monitor the wider diphtheria outbreak.
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The government has also urged residents to obtain health information from authorised sources rather than relying on social media claims.
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At present, the suspected UNTH case has not been confirmed as diphtheria, and the state says investigations did not establish a case.
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The Enugu government has consequently urged residents to remain informed, vigilant and guided by verified medical information.
