Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, has been scaling up its emergency response to a growing diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria since August. The organization is collaborating with several state Ministries of Health to address the increasing number of cases in Borno, Kano, and Bauchi.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium species. It affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin, and can be fatal if left untreated. The latest data from the NCDC shows that Nigeria recorded 43,743 suspected diphtheria cases between May 2022 and May 2025, with the disease manifesting as laryngitis, pharyngitis, or tonsillitis.
MSF Medical Coordinator Dr Halarou Assoumana emphasized the urgent need for early medical intervention, stating that without treatment, diphtheria can kill half of the people infected. Even with access to care, the disease remains dangerous and can be fatal in five percent of patients. The organization has identified several challenges affecting the response, including low routine vaccination coverage, limited access to lifesaving Diphtheria Antitoxin, and chronic shortages of health staff.
In response to the outbreak, MSF has been supporting treatment centers in Bauchi, Kano, and Borno states. In Bauchi, the organization has supported the admission of 295 patients to the Diphtheria Treatment Centre between August 21 and November 9, 2025. In Kano, MSF teams have been supporting the treatment of suspected cases since October, with over 2,300 patients hospitalized by the first week of November 2025. In Borno, MSF teams have managed 2,553 patients with suspected cases between early July and late October 2025.
The organization is calling for urgent action from national authorities, partners, and donors to increase and sustain vaccination coverage and ensure reliable access to Diphtheria Antitoxin, antibiotics, and essential supplies. MSF also emphasizes the need to strengthen routine surveillance and data systems, as well as invest in the health workforce by recruiting, training, and retaining staff. This is crucial to curbing the spread of the disease and preventing future infections.
