Children Dead, Schools Closed as Diphtheria Hits Imo Community
A diphtheria outbreak has struck Mbutu Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, leading to the tragic deaths of several children and prompting the immediate closure of schools in the area.
Although the exact number of fatalities has not been confirmed, the severity of the outbreak has triggered swift intervention from local health authorities.
Iheukwumere Alaribe, Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, confirmed the situation in a statement issued on May 26, 2025. According to his spokesman, Godspower Dike, the disease claimed the lives of the affected children in less than a week.
In response, the local government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Imo State Ministry of Health, and local health workers, has initiated a coordinated effort to contain the outbreak.
Diphtheria, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects the nose and throat, and in some cases, the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
To prevent further transmission, all schools in the Mbutu community have been temporarily shut down, and parents have been advised to keep their children indoors. An isolation centre has been established at Mbutu Health Centre, where exposed children are being quarantined and treated, and support is being provided to affected families.
Alaribe has issued a strong appeal to parents who have not vaccinated their children to do so without delay. “Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health,” he said.
The chairman’s spokesman also urged the public to remain calm and to fully 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,” Dike stated.
This outbreak in Imo State comes on the heels of earlier diphtheria-related deaths in early May, when two children died in the Tukur-Tukur community of Zaria, Kaduna State. Nationwide, Nigeria has seen a troubling surge in diphtheria cases.
As of March 9, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 25,812 confirmed cases out of 42,642 suspected cases, with 1,319 deaths recorded between week 19 of 2022 and week 10 of 2025.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, and health authorities continue to stress the importance of routine immunisation to protect children and curb its spread.
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