By James Abraham
The Plateau State Government has confirmed that the number of suspected diphtheria cases in the state has risen to 303, with the death toll increasing to 27.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Maren Damulak, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Jos.
He said the number of fatalities had risen from the previously reported 23.
Damulak said the majority of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North Local Government Area, with Rikkos community identified as one of the worst-hit areas.
He added that children constituted a significant proportion of those affected.
In response to the outbreak, the state government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, community sensitisation and vaccination in affected communities.
As part of containment measures, the government had earlier ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state, effective from September 7.
The directive followed the detection of suspected cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase LGAs.
According to the government, the closure is aimed at reducing transmission among pupils, students and school staff while health authorities scale up surveillance and 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 the Jos North Local Government Council, John Christopher, said the council had deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to support contact tracing, field surveillance and community outreach.
Speaking 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 prioritise personal and environmental hygiene to curb the spread of the disease.
“Diphtheria is airborne and highly contagious. Basic hygiene can drastically reduce the spread.
“Health officials are also on the ground collecting samples and sending them to the laboratory for further investigation. Early detection is key, and that is why our teams are moving from house to house,” the chairman added.
Christopher said preventive medications had been received and were being administered to infants and persons exposed to the infection.
He disclosed that sensitisation campaigns had been intensified across the 20 wards of the LGA.
He further urged residents to clear drainages, evacuate refuse promptly and desist from indiscriminate waste disposal.
The chairman commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his swift intervention. He pledged that the council, in collaboration with the state government and health partners, was taking proactive steps to address the situation.
He also urged residents to report symptoms such as sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing, and a swollen neck to the nearest primary healthcare facility without delay.
In a related development, Mutfwang has directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and medical commodities to health facilities handling diphtheria cases.
The Director-General of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Kim Jerry Bot, confirmed the directive.
“Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed, and we have acted accordingly. Our workaholic honourable commissioner, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, has provided the requisite leadership.
“Medications and commodities have been duly mobilised to JUTH and PSSH, while we are already working on the other centres,” he added.
Bot commended the governor for his prompt intervention and empathy in addressing the health emergency.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation as containment efforts are sustained across the state.
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