Lagos State has recorded six laboratory-confirmed diphtheria cases from 53 suspected cases reported in 2026, says Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.
Abayomi disclosed this on Wednesday at a news conference on the state’s preparedness and response to diphtheria.
He, however, reassured residents that Lagos State was not experiencing a widespread outbreak, saying authorities had activated precautionary measures.
“We are appealing to all the people in Lagos State to remain calm. There is currently no outbreak of diphtheria in the state.
“We are taking precautionary measures,” he said, stressing that surveillance and preparedness remained central to the state’s response.
The commissioner said the government had strengthened active disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and follow-up of confirmed cases.
He said the measures were necessary because diphtheria outbreaks were ongoing in other parts of the country.
According to Abayomi, Lagos State must remain vigilant because of its large population and extensive travel connections with states recording high diphtheria cases.
He said the state was particularly conscious of the risk of imported infections through constant movement of people between Lagos and affected areas.
“We are strengthening our surveillance system to ensure that suspected cases are detected early and appropriately investigated,” he said.
Abayomi said the government was also ensuring designated health facilities had adequate capacity to manage suspected cases and possible complications.
He identified four designated facilities for managing suspected diphtheria cases across Lagos State.
They are Mainland Hospital, formerly Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island; LUTH; and LASUTH.
The commissioner said the facilities would support appropriate clinical management, laboratory investigation and infection-control measures when suspected cases were identified.
Diphtheria is a bacterial respiratory infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which can produce a toxin capable of damaging vital organs.
The toxin can particularly affect the heart, while throat swelling and a thick membrane may obstruct breathing.
Abayomi emphasised that immunisation remained the most effective means of preventing diphtheria and reducing severe disease.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure their children received the complete three-dose pentavalent vaccination schedule.
He said the recommended pentavalent vaccination doses were administered at six, 10 and 14 weeks.
The commissioner disclosed that Lagos currently had about 64 per cent full vaccination coverage.
He expressed concern that some children remained partially vaccinated or had not received any vaccination, leaving gaps in population protection.
Abayomi said Lagos had more than 1,000 healthcare facilities providing routine immunisation services across the public and private sectors.
He added that vaccines were available free of charge at government health facilities across the state.
The commissioner urged parents to take advantage of the available vaccination services and ensure their children completed the recommended schedule.
He said improving vaccination coverage would strengthen community protection and reduce the likelihood of severe diphtheria cases.
Abayomi also urged residents to adopt appropriate respiratory hygiene practices to reduce transmission of respiratory infections.
He advised people to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and wash their hands frequently.
Residents experiencing respiratory symptoms were also advised to avoid close contact with other people.
The commissioner said the state was paying particular attention to schools ahead of their expected reopening.
He said the Ministry of Health was working with the education sector to strengthen awareness and vaccination among students.
According to him, suspected diphtheria cases identified in schools would trigger appropriate contact tracing and infection-control measures.
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