Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 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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