Plateau State Government has stepped up efforts to contain the diphtheria outbreak in the state, as the number of suspected cases rises to 469, with 31 deaths recorded.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing on the state’s response to the outbreak.
Ba’amlong said although the state had recorded sporadic suspected cases of diphtheria since the beginning of the year, the situation became a major public health concern from August.
“Since the beginning of this year, the state has recorded few sporadic suspected cases of diphtheria, but it became of public health concern as from August,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the 469 suspected cases recorded so far include three laboratory-confirmed cases, while 31 people have died from the disease.
He said 10 Local Government Areas have been affected by the outbreak, with Jos North accounting for the highest number of suspected cases.
Jos North has recorded 370 cases, Wase 29, Jos South 22, Barkin Ladi 16, Mangu 16, Pankshin five, Kanam four, Mikang four, Shendam two and Bassa one.
The Commissioner said the government had adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain the spread, including intensified active case searches, contact tracing and engagement with community leaders.
“Our response efforts to this outbreak have been comprehensive and multi-faceted,” Ba’amlong said.
He explained that mild cases are being diagnosed and treated within communities using oral medications, while treatment commodities have been provided to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital to support the isolation and treatment of severe cases.
Ba’amlong also disclosed that teachers from public and private schools in Jos North had been trained to identify early signs of diphtheria and take appropriate response measures.
On vaccination, he said more than 160,000 children had been reached with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while over 30,000 children had received Pentavalent vaccines.
The Commissioner said the state was also using media platforms to intensify public awareness through jingles and the distribution of information, education and communication materials.
“We will continue with active case search and contact tracing, possible intensification of vaccination campaigns and community sensitisation,” he said.
To further strengthen coordination, Ba’amlong announced the activation of the Incident Management System to oversee the state’s response to the outbreak.
He said the Incident Manager would coordinate response activities across sectors and partners, liaise with government agencies and stakeholders, monitor implementation of response strategies, facilitate resource mobilisation and ensure effective communication with the public.
“The Incident Manager will be supported by the Incident Management Team,” he said.
Ba’amlong added that the state would continue to hold coordination meetings among stakeholders to review progress, address challenges and ensure that response activities remained effective.
He urged residents and community leaders to cooperate with health officials by supporting case detection, contact tracing, vaccination and other measures aimed at containing the outbreak.
The Commissioner commended the State and Local Government Rapid Response Teams for their dedication to the response, while appreciating the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, WHO, UNICEF, Red Cross, FHI360, Save the Children, Life Helpers, Chigari Foundation and other development partners for their support.
He also expressed appreciation to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for his support and leadership in the state’s response to the outbreak.
“I therefore call on all partners, community members and stakeholders to continue their cooperation and support as we work tirelessly to contain this outbreak and protect the health of our children and communities,” Ba’amlong said
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