The diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State has recorded a worrying increase, with the number of suspected cases now put at about 300 and 25 deaths reported by health authorities.
Children are said to account for most of the fatalities as health officials intensify efforts to contain the spread of the infectious disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, who disclosed the figures, said the number of suspected infections had more than doubled from the previously reported 146 cases.
He said Jos North Local Government Area, with Rikkos community particularly affected, remained the major hotspot of the outbreak.
The rising cases come amid the state government’s decision to shut all public and private primary and secondary schools temporarily from September 7.
The closure followed the identification of suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase local government areas.
The government explained that the measure was necessary to limit possible transmission among schoolchildren and staff while the health authorities strengthen their response to the outbreak.
Ba’amlong said health facilities were already attending to suspected cases, noting that isolation arrangements had been made at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau Specialist Hospital.
He said response teams were also stepping up surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination and public enlightenment, particularly in communities considered vulnerable to further transmission.
As part of the effort, the Jos North Local Government Council has provided additional logistics, including motorcycles, to enable health workers reach communities and trace people who may have come in contact with suspected cases.
The commissioner further disclosed that samples collected from suspected patients had been forwarded to Abuja for laboratory confirmation.
He, however, said the availability of diphtheria antitoxin remained a major challenge in the management of the outbreak.
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial disease that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with an infected person.
Health officials have advised residents to avoid crowded settings where possible, observe proper hygiene and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty swallowing or general weakness develop.
Parents and caregivers have also been urged to ensure that children are fully vaccinated, as routine immunisation remains central to preventing diphtheria and limiting its spread.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has meanwhile identified Plateau among the eight states responsible for the majority of confirmed diphtheria cases reported across Nigeria.
Health authorities are expected to sustain vaccination campaigns, surveillance, contact tracing and community sensitisation as efforts continue to bring the outbreak under control.
