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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.
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Most of those affected were not vaccinated for the bacterial infection

·Ankara, Türkiye
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Punch Newspapers broke the news on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
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