By Charles Maduka
A sudden outbreak of diphtheria in Mbutu Community, located in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, has resulted in multiple child fatalities and triggered the immediate closure of schools in the area.
While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, local authorities have confirmed the seriousness of the situation. The chairman of the LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, announced on May 26 that urgent measures were being taken to curb the spread of the disease.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It mainly affects the respiratory system and is spread through coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated objects and individuals.
Following the outbreak, the local government directed all schools in the affected community to shut down temporarily. Parents have also been urged to keep their children indoors as health officials work to contain the disease.
“Within days of the outbreak, several young lives were lost,” said Godspower Dike, the chairman’s spokesman. He confirmed that the World Health Organisation, the Imo State Ministry of Health, and local health workers were collaborating to manage the crisis.
An isolation centre has been set up at the Mbutu Health Centre, where children suspected of exposure are being quarantined and treated. Health personnel have been dispatched to provide care and monitor affected families.
In response to the growing concern, Alaribe advised all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated without delay. “Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of this deadly disease,” he said.
The public has been encouraged to remain calm and cooperate with health officials. “Our teams are working tirelessly, and updates will be shared as the situation develops,” Dike assured.
Earlier this month, a similar diphtheria outbreak claimed the lives of two children in Tukur-Tukur, a community in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Diphtheria is considered vaccine-preventable, yet the disease continues to pose a threat in parts of Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 25,812 confirmed cases and 1,319 deaths from diphtheria between 2022 and March 2025.
Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of routine immunisation to protect children and communities from avoidable diseases.
Leave a Reply