Plateau Diphtheria Outbreak: 23 Dead As 143 Suspected Cases Recorded

Twenty-three people have died from suspected diphtheria in Plateau State over the past two weeks, while 143 suspected cases have been recorded as authorities intensify efforts to contain the infectious disease.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this in a telephone interview with Channels Television. He said nine patients are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.

“So far we have 143 suspected cases, we have had 23 deaths and 9 currently on admission at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos,” Baamlong said.

According to the commissioner, affected patients are being managed in isolation as the state government works to prevent further transmission.

He said awareness campaigns have also been activated across communities, with traditional rulers and other stakeholders involved in educating residents about the disease and measures to reduce its spread.

Baamlong identified access to antitoxin and late presentation by patients as major challenges in managing the outbreak.

“The biggest challenge is getting antitoxin, and most of them are presenting late,” the commissioner said.

He explained that diphtheria can be transmitted through “contact, cough, sneezing and close association.”

The state is also experiencing difficulties confirming suspected cases because of a shortage of specialised containers needed to collect and transport samples to laboratories.

“We are having challenges with the diagnosis because the sample is supposed to be collected in a special container so that we can send it for confirmation, but we do not have such containers,” he said.

The commissioner said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been informed about the outbreak, with the state expecting assistance to address the shortage of antitoxin and sample collection containers.

“The NCDC is aware, and we are hoping that they will assist us with the antitoxin and the special containers,” he said.

Baamlong added that the state government has intensified community-level sensitisation efforts by working with traditional institutions and other stakeholders.

“We have so far activated awareness campaigns in communities through traditional rulers and other stakeholders to curtail the spread,” Baamlong said.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact. Health authorities continue to encourage residents to seek medical attention promptly when symptoms occur and follow recommended preventive measures to help limit further infections and deaths.