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Nigeria: Diphtheria Deaths Rise to 27 As Suspected Cases Hit 303 in Plateau
Health officials said 99% of cases are in Jos North, and schools were closed as authorities moved to contain the outbreak.
On Thursday, Plateau State Chief Epidemiologist Maren Damulak confirmed the diphtheria death toll has risen to 27, with suspected cases increasing to 303.
Ninety-Nine per cent of suspected cases are in Jos North Local Government Area, particularly the Rikkos community, where Damulak said most affected individuals had not received diphtheria vaccination.
Following reports of suspected cases, the Plateau State Government directed all public and private schools in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa, and Wase to close from Monday, September 7.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang directed the mobilization of medical supplies to Jos University Teaching Hospital, while Jos North Local Government Council Chairman John Christopher deployed motorcycles for contact tracing.
Health authorities are currently strengthening disease surveillance and treatment efforts across Plateau State, as suspected cases rose sharply from about 149 previously.