The Ekiti State Government has asked all residents to stay alert and follow safety rules to prevent diphtheria. This comes as more cases are being reported in different parts of Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said that there have been no confirmed diphtheria cases in Ekiti this year.
However, the government wants to keep it that way by watching closely for any signs of the disease, promoting vaccination, and raising public awareness.
In a statement released in Ado Ekiti on Monday night, Dr. Filani explained that diphtheria spreads through close contact with sick people, through droplets when they cough or sneeze, and by touching contaminated surfaces.
He also listed symptoms people should watch out for. Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, swollen neck, and a thick grey or white layer in the throat or on the tonsils in serious cases.
These symptoms usually show up 2 to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
Dr. Filani said the government is doing everything possible to protect people. He encouraged everyone to get vaccinated, report any signs of illness early, practice good hygiene, stay informed, and help others understand how to stay safe.
He explained that the government is taking these steps because more than 30,000 cases and about 1,400 deaths from diphtheria have been recorded in 27 Nigerian states by mid-2025.
Dr. Filani described diphtheria as a very contagious infection caused by bacteria. It mainly affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin.
He said the people most at risk are those who have not been vaccinated—especially children, people living in crowded or dirty environments, and health workers caring for infected patients.
He assured the public that the Ekiti State Government, together with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and other partners, is working hard to keep the disease under control.
Dr. Filani said that all health workers in the state have been put on alert so they can quickly recognize and handle any suspected cases of diphtheria.
He urged parents to make sure their children get the full set of pentavalent vaccines at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age, as stated in the National Childhood Immunization Schedule.
He also warned against self-medication and advised anyone with symptoms to go to the nearest clinic right away.
He also advised health workers to stay careful, follow safety rules to prevent infections, and get vaccinated if they are at risk of exposure.
Dr. Filani said anyone suspected of having diphtheria should be kept apart from others and reported to the nearest disease control officer.
People who were in close contact with confirmed patients should be closely watched, given preventive antibiotics, and treated with diphtheria antitoxin if necessary.
