Plateau Diphtheria Death Toll Hits 27 As Suspected Cases Rise To 303

The Plateau State Government has confirmed that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has risen to 27, as the number of suspected cases climbed to 303.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Maren Damulak, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Jos, saying the fatalities had increased from the previously reported 23.

According to Damulak, Jos North Local Government Area recorded the highest number of suspected cases, with Rikkos community identified as one of the worst-hit areas.

He added that children constituted a significant proportion of those affected by the outbreak.

The state government has responded by intensifying disease surveillance, contact tracing, community sensitisation and vaccination campaigns in affected communities.

As part of measures to contain transmission, the government had ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state from September 7.

The directive followed the detection of suspected cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas, with the government saying the closure was intended to reduce transmission among pupils, students and school staff while health authorities scaled up response activities.

Some suspected patients are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, where isolation facilities have been provided.

The Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, John Christopher, said the council had deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to strengthen contact tracing, field surveillance and community outreach.

During an on-the-spot assessment of affected communities and a visit to patients at the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Abba Na Shehu Ward, Christopher urged residents to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to help curb the spread of the disease.

“Diphtheria is airborne and highly contagious. Basic hygiene can drastically reduce the spread,” he said.