The emergency operation, carried out in partnership with the Kano State Ministry of Health, was launched in early 2023 at the height of one of Nigeria's largest recorded diphtheria outbreaks. Beyond treating infected children, the intervention focused on expanding vaccination coverage, strengthening disease surveillance, improving referrals, enhancing data management and mobilising communities to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected wounds. It commonly causes sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes and the formation of a thick grey membrane in the throat, which can block breathing. In severe cases, it can damage the heart, nerves and kidneys, while untreated infections are fatal in about 30 per cent of cases, especially among young children.
The outbreak disproportionately affected children aged between five and 14 years, many of whom had either not received routine immunisation or were only partially vaccinated. Health experts attributed the rapid spread of the disease to persistent gaps in immunisation coverage, overcrowded living conditions, delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour and limited access to quality healthcare services.
During the emergency response, MSF said more than 14,707 children received treatment through its treatment centres and supported healthcare facilities using both hospital-based and home-based care models.
The organisation also supported two rounds of mass vaccination conducted with the Kano State Ministry of Health, resulting in 835,028 children receiving diphtheria vaccines. The first phase, which ended on April 27, immunised 348,080 children, while the second phase, carried out between June 20 and 24, 2026, reached an additional 486,948 children across 20 wards in the state.
Despite the significant progress made, MSF warned that diphtheria remains a serious public health concern.
MSF Project Coordinator in Kano, Abdoul-Aziz Djibrilla, said the outbreak placed enormous pressure on families and the healthcare system.
“Kano experienced a critical diphtheria outbreak that placed enormous pressure on families, healthcare workers and health facilities. Although the number of cases has declined in recent months, mainly due to mass vaccination campaigns, the disease remains a serious health threat to children in Kano, driven by low immunisation coverage, overcrowding, delayed healthcare-seeking and malnutrition.”
Kano was among the states hardest hit by Nigeria's prolonged diphtheria outbreak. According to the Kano State Ministry of Health, the state recorded more than 31,900 suspected cases and over 1,260 deaths, most of them involving children, between March 2022 and March 22, 2026.
The figures represent a substantial share of the 65,759 suspected cases and 2,229 deaths reported nationwide by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) during the same period.
At the peak of the outbreak between late 2025 and early 2026, MSF said healthcare facilities were overwhelmed, admitting more than 100 children every day for treatment. Hospital bed occupancy exceeded available capacity as healthcare workers struggled to cope with the surge in severe infections.
Although infections have declined sharply following the vaccination campaigns, MSF cautioned that immunity gaps remain, leaving many children vulnerable to future outbreaks if routine immunisation efforts are not sustained.
Djibrilla urged authorities and development partners to maintain momentum by investing in preventive healthcare measures.
“Continued commitment from health authorities and partners to sustain high immunisation coverage, strengthen surveillance and ensure timely access to quality treatment will be critical to preventing future outbreaks and protecting the lives of children in Kano.”
MSF, which has maintained a continuous presence in Nigeria since 1996, currently delivers free healthcare services across 10 states and says it remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities through emergency medical interventions whenever the need arises.