NEWS
Abia Steps Up Diphtheria Preparedness as State Records No Case
Abia State Government has intensified preventive measures against diphtheria following reports of outbreaks in some parts of the country, with the State Ministry of Health strengthening its preparedness to ensure the disease does not gain a foothold in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, September 21, 2026, while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu explained that the focus of the State Ministry of Health’s advisory for the week was on reinforcing public health preparedness, preventive measures and early response mechanisms against diphtheria in view of developments recorded in other parts of Nigeria.
He, however, assured residents that Abia State had recorded no case of diphtheria, stressing that there was currently no reported case of any public health concern in the state.
According to him, the State Public Health Department has already instituted an outbreak prevention and preparedness plan designed to strengthen surveillance, enhance early detection and ensure that appropriate measures are activated promptly should any suspected case emerge.
The proactive approach, he noted, underscores the state government’s commitment to protecting residents and sustaining vigilance against infectious diseases, particularly at a time when outbreaks in other locations could pose potential public health risks.
The development further highlights the administration’s emphasis on preventive healthcare, strengthened disease surveillance and preparedness as key components of its ongoing efforts to safeguard public health across
Abia State.