Diphtheria Kills 31 In Plateau

Plateau State commissioner for health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, yesterday said the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has risen to 31, with 469 suspected cases recorded across 10 local government areas.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jos, the commissioner said in order to contain the outbreak, the state government had activated its Incident Management System (IMS) and appointed Dr. Maren Job Damala as Incident Manager to lead the response.

“Although the state recorded sporadic suspected cases earlier in the year, the situation became a significant public health concern from August,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.

He said, “Jos North has recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 370, followed by Wase with 29, Jos South 22, Barkin Ladi and Mangu with 16 cases each, Pankshin five, Kanam and Mikang four each, Shendam two and Bassa one case .

“The state’s response has been comprehensive and multi-faceted, involving the engagement and sensitisation of community leaders, intensified active case search and contact tracing, community diagnosis and treatment of mild cases, as well as the provision of treatment commodities to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital for the isolation and management of severe cases. Teachers from public and private schools in Jos North have also been trained on early detection of diphtheria and appropriate response measures.”