Fatal Diphtheria Outbreak in Imo State’s Mbutu Community Prompts School Closures

A recent outbreak of diphtheria in Mbutu Community, Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, has resulted in the deaths of several children, prompting authorities to close schools and intensify health measures to prevent further spread.

The exact death toll has not been confirmed, according to Daily Trust’s May 28, 2025 report. Iheukwumere Alaribe, Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, confirmed the outbreak in a statement dated May 26.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact.

In response, schools in Mbutu have been shut down, and parents have been advised to keep children indoors. “Diphtheria claimed the lives of the children less than a week after its outbreak,” said Godspower Dike, spokesman for the chairman.

The WHO, Imo State Ministry of Health’s Disease Prevention and Control Department, and local health workers are actively investigating and managing the outbreak. An isolation centre has been established at Mbutu Health Centre to quarantine and treat affected children and families.

Chairman Alaribe stressed the importance of vaccination: “Parents who have not yet vaccinated their children are strongly urged to do so without delay. Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health.”

Dike appealed for calm and cooperation from the public, promising regular updates.

This outbreak follows a similar incident in early May in Kaduna State, where two children died from diphtheria. Nigeria has recorded over 25,000 confirmed cases and 1,319 deaths nationwide since 2022.