Plateau State has intensified measures to contain a diphtheria outbreak that has spread to 10 Local Government Areas, with 469 suspected cases and 31 deaths recorded across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing on the government’s response to the outbreak, which became a major public health concern in August after sporadic suspected cases had been recorded earlier in the year.
Of the 469 suspected cases, three have been laboratory-confirmed, while 31 deaths have been recorded.
Jos North has the highest number of suspected cases with 370, followed by Wase with 29, Jos South 22, Barkin Ladi 16, Mangu 16, Pankshin five, Kanam four, Mikang four, Shendam two and Bassa one.
The state government has activated its Incident Management System to coordinate the response across affected areas and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, health partners and other stakeholders.
The Incident Manager will oversee response activities across sectors, liaise with government agencies and partners, monitor the implementation of control measures, facilitate resource mobilisation and coordinate public communication. The manager will be supported by an Incident Management Team.
The government is also intensifying active case searches, contact tracing and community engagement as part of efforts to identify cases early and limit transmission.
Mild cases are being diagnosed and treated within communities with oral medications, while treatment commodities have been supplied to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital for the isolation and treatment of severe cases.
More than 160,000 children have so far been reached with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while over 30,000 children have received Pentavalent vaccines.
Teachers in public and private schools across Jos North have also been trained to recognise early signs of diphtheria and take appropriate action, as the state steps up surveillance in schools.
The government is using media platforms to raise awareness through jingles and the distribution of information, education and communication materials, while further vaccination campaigns, active case searches, contact tracing and community sensitisation are expected to continue.
Ba’amlong said coordination meetings among stakeholders would be sustained to assess progress, tackle emerging challenges and ensure the response remains effective.
He urged residents and community leaders to cooperate with health officials by supporting case detection, contact tracing, vaccination and other containment measures.
The commissioner commended the State and Local Government Rapid Response Teams for their efforts and acknowledged the support of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Red Cross, FHI360, Save the Children, Life Helpers, Chigari Foundation and other development partners.
He also acknowledged the support and leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in the state’s response to the outbreak.
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