The Chairman of of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area in Imo State, Iheukwumere Alaribe, has ordered immediate closure of schools in Mbutu town in the LGA following the death of several children as a result of diphtheria outbreak.
As at the time of filing this report on Wednesday, 27 May, 2025, the numbers of casualties are yet to be ascertained by the LGA.
Diphtheria, a highly infectious disease caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, primarily affects the nose and throat but can also impact the skin.
It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or via direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
The Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Iheukwumere Alaribe, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, 26 May, 2025.
In response to the outbreak, the local government has taken swift action to curb further spread.
“Schools in Mbutu have been temporarily closed, and parents have been advised to keep their children indoors. Diphtheria claimed the lives of the children less than a week after its outbreak.
“The chairman stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Imo State Ministry of Health, and health workers from Aboh Mbaise LGA were working tirelessly to investigate and contain the outbreak.
“An isolation centre has been established at Mbutu Health Centre, with health workers deployed to quarantine children who may have been exposed to the disease and to provide care for affected families,” said Godspower Dike, the spokesman for the chairman.
Alaribe, who also urged parents to take urgent steps to vaccinate their children, added that “In light of this outbreak, parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are strongly urged to do so without delay.
“Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health,” dike stated, just as he also appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with health authorities.
“We encourage the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities as we work to control this outbreak. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he added
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and health authorities have reiterated the importance of routine immunisation to protect children from preventable diseases like diphtheria.
Nigeria has recorded 25,812 confirmed cases of diphtheria out of 42,642 suspected cases across 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 350 local government areas, with confirmed cases spread across 184 LGAs in 26 states.
According to the latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, covering the period from week 19 of 2022 to week 10 of 2025, March 9, 2025, the outbreak led to the death of at least 1,319 people.
