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Diphtheria Outbreak Claims More Lives in Nigeria’s Plateau State
(MENAFN) Nigeria’s central Plateau state is reporting a worsening diphtheria outbreak, with fatalities rising to 27 and suspected infections reaching 303, according to health authorities.
State epidemiologist Maren Damulak said the number of suspected cases has more than doubled from 149 to 303, while the death toll has increased from 23 to 27.
About “99% of the cases are in Jos North,” Damulak said.
He added that most suspected patients had not been vaccinated against diphtheria, with children making up a substantial share of those affected.
Rikkos community in Jos North Local Government Area has emerged as one of the areas hardest hit by the outbreak.
In response, state authorities have expanded disease monitoring, contact tracing, public awareness efforts and vaccination drives in communities where infections have been detected.
The government also ordered the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools across Plateau from Sept. 7. The measure followed suspected infections reported in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase local government areas.
Officials said shutting schools is intended to limit transmission among students, pupils and staff while health teams strengthen monitoring and containment efforts.
Some infected individuals are being treated in isolation at Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
The latest figures mark a significant increase from the 23 deaths and 143 suspected infections announced earlier this month. At that time, health officials identified delays in patients seeking treatment and limited supplies of diphtheria antitoxin as key obstacles to controlling the outbreak.
Diphtheria is a highly infectious bacterial illness transmitted through respiratory droplets and close physical contact. The disease can be prevented through vaccination, prompting health officials to encourage residents to seek medical care promptly and ensure children receive their recommended vaccines.
National disease control authorities have listed Plateau among eight Nigerian states that together account for 98% of confirmed diphtheria infections nationwide.
State epidemiologist Maren Damulak said the number of suspected cases has more than doubled from 149 to 303, while the death toll has increased from 23 to 27.
About “99% of the cases are in Jos North,” Damulak said.
He added that most suspected patients had not been vaccinated against diphtheria, with children making up a substantial share of those affected.
Rikkos community in Jos North Local Government Area has emerged as one of the areas hardest hit by the outbreak.
In response, state authorities have expanded disease monitoring, contact tracing, public awareness efforts and vaccination drives in communities where infections have been detected.
The government also ordered the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools across Plateau from Sept. 7. The measure followed suspected infections reported in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase local government areas.
Officials said shutting schools is intended to limit transmission among students, pupils and staff while health teams strengthen monitoring and containment efforts.
Some infected individuals are being treated in isolation at Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
The latest figures mark a significant increase from the 23 deaths and 143 suspected infections announced earlier this month. At that time, health officials identified delays in patients seeking treatment and limited supplies of diphtheria antitoxin as key obstacles to controlling the outbreak.
Diphtheria is a highly infectious bacterial illness transmitted through respiratory droplets and close physical contact. The disease can be prevented through vaccination, prompting health officials to encourage residents to seek medical care promptly and ensure children receive their recommended vaccines.
National disease control authorities have listed Plateau among eight Nigerian states that together account for 98% of confirmed diphtheria infections nationwide.
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