Plateau residents on alert as dangerous outbreak takes deadly turn

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A serious public health concern has emerged in Plateau State following a diphtheria outbreak that has reportedly claimed 23 lives and left 143 suspected cases recorded within the past two weeks.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Jos.

According to the commissioner, the state government, through the Ministry of Health, has intensified measures aimed at containing the spread of the infectious disease.

He explained that identified patients had been immediately quarantined and placed under treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.

Baamlong said the affected patients were being managed in isolation as authorities continued efforts to prevent further transmission.

He added that the government had also commenced awareness campaigns across communities, using traditional rulers and other stakeholders to educate residents and reduce the risk of further spread.

The commissioner explained that diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection capable of spreading between individuals through respiratory droplets and close physical contact.

Baamlong, however, disclosed that the state was facing challenges in confirming suspected cases because of the lack of specialised containers needed for the collection and transportation of samples to laboratories.

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

He identified delayed presentation by patients and difficulties in obtaining antitoxin as some of the major challenges confronting the ministry since the outbreak began.

The commissioner stressed that the disease can spread rapidly through contact, coughing, sneezing and close association with infected individuals.

“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 stated.

Despite the challenges, Baamlong assured residents that the state government had intensified sensitisation activities at the community level.

He said traditional rulers and other stakeholders were being engaged to provide residents with information on the disease, its mode of transmission and preventive measures.

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

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