The Lagos and Kano states have been reported to have cases of diphtheria, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
In a late Thursday night public health alert, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, director-general of the NCDC, disclosed that the organisation was also keeping an eye on the situation in the states of Osun and Yobe, where cases are now being discovered.
According to information from the Kano State Ministry of Health, there have been 25 deaths as a result of the diphtheria outbreak, 58 suspected cases, and six others who have been admitted.
The nose, throat, and occasionally the skin of an individual are all affected by the deadly bacterial infection known as diphtheria, according to the NCDC.
Fever, runny nose, scratchy throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling are some of the signs and symptoms of diphtheria.
When breathing is difficult, a thick, grey or white patch may develop on the tonsils or the back of the throat.
According to Adetifa, there have been laboratory-confirmed cases in addition to clinically suspected cases, and the NCDC is collaborating with state ministries of health and other partners to improve surveillance and response to the outbreak.
People who have not received any or just one dose of the pentavalent vaccine, which contains the diphtheria toxoid, as well as those who live in crowded conditions or in unhygienic areas, healthcare workers, and others who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria, are said to be the most at risk of contracting the disease.
According to the NCDC, diphtheria is easily transmitted from one person to another through close contact, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated objects and clothing.
It advised parents to follow the childhood immunisation schedule and make sure their children receive the recommended three doses of the pentavalent vaccine to properly protect them against diphtheria.