ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in several West African countries are trying to manage their huge diphtheria outbreaks, including in Nigeria where a top health official said Thursday that millions are being vaccinated to cover wide gaps in immunity against the disease. The highly contagious bacterial infection has been reported in 20 of Nigeria's 36 states so far. The fate of the affected countries is worsened by the global shortages of the diphtheria vaccine as demand has increased to respond to outbreaks, the MSF said. But several states continue to struggle, including Kano, which accounts for more than 75% of cases in Nigeria but has only two diphtheria treatment centers, according to Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the state’s top health official. “Once people have to travel or move significant distances to access treatment, that becomes a challenge,” Adetifa said.

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Persons: Ifedayo Adetifa, “ We’re, ”, Dagemlidet Tesfaye, Adetifa, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, ” Adetifa Organizations: —, “, Nigeria Centre for Disease, Associated Press, World Health Organization, MSF, Nigeria CDC Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Kano, Africa, africa