The Adamawa Government has confirmed 232 diphtheria cases and 34 deaths in 16 local government areas since January.
Dr Kadabiyu Jones, the state epidemiologist, disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Yola on Tuesday.
Jones said the disease mainly affects the nose, throat and tonsils, making breathing and swallowing difficult.
He said diphtheria can affect people of all ages, but children—especially those who are unvaccinated—are more vulnerable.
He attributed most deaths to complications caused by late presentation and an inadequate supply of diphtheria antitoxin.
Most of the children who died were unvaccinated and died in their communities, he said, adding that only a few died in health facilities.
Jones blamed caregivers who keep sick children at home for traditional treatment instead of taking them to health facilities.
“By the time such children are brought to a facility, the disease has become severe and difficult to manage,” he said.
He urged caregivers to take children with suspected symptoms to the nearest health facility immediately.
He also advised them to ensure that children were fully vaccinated, noting that the vaccines were free.
Jones further appealed to residents to seek prompt treatment for sick children to save their lives.
