Mirian Gom 
PLATEAU, Nigeria – The death toll from a diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State has risen to 31, with 469 suspected cases recorded across 10 local government areas, prompting the state government to intensify surveillance, treatment and vaccination efforts.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Jos, where he said the outbreak became a significant public health concern from August. “Although the state recorded sporadic suspected cases earlier in the year, the situation became a significant public health concern from August,” Ba’amlong said.
Jos North has recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 370, followed by Wase with 29 and Jos South with 22.
Barkin Ladi and Mangu recorded 16 cases each, while Pankshin recorded five. Kanam and Mikang recorded four cases each, Shendam two and Bassa one.
To coordinate the response, the state government has activated its Incident Management System and appointed Dr Maren Job Damala as Incident Manager.
Teachers in public and private schools in Jos North have also been trained to identify suspected cases early and respond appropriately.
On vaccination, the commissioner said more than 160,000 children had received diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while more than 30,000 children had received pentavalent vaccines.
However, he said the state still required 250,000 additional doses to cover the remaining areas of Jos North and other affected local government areas.
Ba’amlong said the Incident Manager would coordinate response activities, liaise with government agencies and partners, monitor containment efforts, facilitate resource mobilisation and ensure effective public communication.
The next phase of the response, he said, would include continued case searches and contact tracing, possible expansion of vaccination and community sensitisation, regular monitoring and evaluation, and coordination meetings among stakeholders.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
