The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, has confirmed the death of a patient who was clinically suspected to have diphtheria, while urging the public to remain calm and vigilant.
In a public statement dated September 16, 2026, the hospital management said the patient was managed at the Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) but sadly died two days after admission despite efforts by the attending medical team.
However, UNTH clarified that a subsequent post-mortem review raised the possibility that the patient’s clinical presentation may have been caused by pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate rather than diphtheria.
The hospital said that, as a precautionary measure and in the interest of public safety, contact tracing was ongoing to identify and monitor anyone who may have had close contact with the deceased patient.
UNTH also disclosed that it had carried out the necessary decontamination of the Children’s Emergency Room in line with established infection prevention and control measures.
The hospital management noted that sporadic cases of diphtheria had been successfully managed at the facility in the past, stressing that the hospital has the expertise and facilities required to manage such cases.
“Therefore, there is no cause for unnecessary panic or alarm,” the management stated.
Nevertheless, against the backdrop of the ongoing diphtheria situation in Nigeria, UNTH advised members of the public to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with symptoms that may include fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
It urged anyone who develops such symptoms to seek prompt medical attention and encouraged staff, patients, visitors and members of the public to continue observing standard infection prevention and control precautions.
The hospital reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its patients, staff and the general public, urging everyone to remain calm and guided by verified information.
Editor’s note: While the incident involves a clinically suspected case of diphtheria, UNTH’s statement says the post-mortem review raised the possibility of pharyngotonsillitis rather than diphtheria. Therefore, the death should not be presented as a laboratory-confirmed diphtheria death based on this statement alone.
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