At least 23 people have died from suspected diphtheria in Plateau State within the past two weeks, while 143 suspected cases have been recorded as health authorities intensify measures to contain the outbreak.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures in a telephone interview with Channels Television, saying nine patients were 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.
The commissioner said patients were being treated in isolation as the state government stepped up efforts to prevent further transmission of the infectious disease.
According to him, authorities have activated community-based awareness campaigns, working with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to educate residents about the disease, its symptoms and preventive measures.
However, the state is facing significant challenges in responding to the outbreak, particularly shortages of diphtheria antitoxin and materials needed to confirm suspected infections.
“The biggest challenge is getting antitoxin, and most of them are presenting late,” the commissioner said.
Baamlong explained that diphtheria is highly transmissible and can spread through “contact, cough, sneezing and close association,” making early detection, treatment and isolation critical to preventing additional infections.
Diagnostic challenges
The commissioner also disclosed that the state was experiencing difficulties confirming suspected diphtheria cases because of a shortage of specialised containers required for collecting and transporting 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 diagnostic challenge could complicate efforts to establish the precise scale of the outbreak, particularly as health authorities seek to distinguish suspected cases from laboratory-confirmed infections.
Baamlong said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had been informed of the situation and that the state was expecting assistance to address the shortages.
“The NCDC is aware, and we are hoping that they will assist us with the antitoxin and the special containers,” he said.
Government intensifies community mobilisation
Beyond hospital-based interventions, the state government has intensified public awareness activities in communities in an effort to encourage early presentation and reduce transmission.
“We have so far activated awareness campaigns in communities through traditional rulers and other stakeholders to curtail the spread,” Baamlong said.
The use of traditional institutions is expected to help health officials reach residents in communities and improve awareness of the risks associated with the disease, particularly the importance of seeking medical attention promptly when symptoms develop.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets and close physical contact. Severe infections can become life-threatening, particularly when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
Health authorities continue to urge residents to seek medical attention early when they develop symptoms suggestive of diphtheria and to follow recommended preventive measures.
The latest outbreak has placed additional pressure on Plateau State’s health system, with authorities now seeking urgent supplies of antitoxin and specialised sample containers while maintaining isolation and community sensitisation efforts to prevent the situation from worsening.