Twenty-three persons have died from a diphtheria outbreak in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, with 143 suspected cases recorded, as the Federal Government also moves to strengthen detection of more than 500,000 new tuberculosis cases expected annually across the country. The post Diphtheria kills 23 in Plateau as FG targets 500,000 TB cases appeared first on The Sun Nigeria .
From Jude Owuamanam,
Twenty-three persons have died from a diphtheria outbreak in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, with 143 suspected cases recorded, as the Federal Government also moves to strengthen detection of more than 500,000 new tuberculosis cases expected annually across the country.
Nine diphtheria patients are currently hospitalised in Plateau, while health authorities have intensified clinical and community interventions to contain further spread of the disease.
Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, who gave the latest figures on Tuesday, said seven patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and two at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
The figures represent a sharp increase from the 15 deaths and 117 suspected cases earlier reported by health officials.
Ba’amlong said the outbreak was concentrated in the Rikkos community of Jos North, where health authorities were intensifying containment measures.
“The situation is critical, with a high mortality rate. The response is currently focused on clinical management of the hospitalised patients and community-level intervention,” he said.
The commissioner said health officials were engaging traditional and community leaders in Rikkos as part of advocacy and sensitisation efforts aimed at securing residents’ cooperation.
“We are engaging local leadership, the paramount chief, in the affected community. Officials are attempting to gain the necessary cooperation to curb the spread of the outbreak,” he said.
Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Jos North, Baks Bulus, had earlier put the toll at 15 deaths and 117 suspected cases, warning at the time that the figures could rise unless urgent preventive measures were taken.
Bulus described diphtheria as a bacterial infection that could spread rapidly through close contact with infected persons.
“Diphtheria can be transmitted from person to person. It keeps spreading when people come in close contact with an infected patient, and it can be disastrous,” he said.
He stressed the importance of vaccination, particularly among children, warning that the disease could be deadly for those who had not been fully vaccinated.
The DSNO urged residents to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid overcrowded places and promptly report suspected symptoms at government health facilities.
“Most times, people resort to chemists and self-medication, which we do not advise. The best approach is to visit primary healthcare centres where we have the necessary structures and personnel in place,” Bulus said. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Maren Job, had earlier confirmed the outbreak, saying health officials were collating data to establish its extent.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has tasked tuberculosis supervisors across the country to intensify grassroots case detection, warning that undiagnosed patients could continue spreading the infection in their communities.
National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLTCP), Dr. Clement Adesigbin, gave the charge while declaring open the Batch 83 training for Local Government Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Supervisors in Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday.
Adesigbin said Nigeria was expected to identify more than 500,000 new TB cases annually but, despite treatment coverage reaching about 89 per cent in 2025, some people living with the disease were still being missed. He warned that undetected cases posed a danger to communities because infected persons could continue transmitting the disease.
According to him, early diagnosis and treatment remain critical to breaking transmission chains and further reducing Nigeria’s TB burden.
Adesigbin described local government TB supervisors as the foundation for effective implementation of national policies and programmes on tuberculosis, leprosy and Buruli ulcer.
“We can have the best policy in the world, but if we do not have people at the grassroots to implement it and make it real, it becomes useless.” He urged participants to use the five-week training to strengthen their clinical and managerial competencies and develop practical strategies for improving tuberculosis control in their respective local government areas.
Adesigbin also expressed concern over persistent pockets of leprosy in parts of the country despite Nigeria having achieved elimination of the disease as a public health problem.
He said the Federal Government was working with stakeholders to identify leprosy hotspots and establish a baseline for targeted interventions and improved surveillance.
According to him, rapid diagnostic tests for leprosy were being piloted and validated to complement clinical diagnosis, accelerate case detection and facilitate early treatment.
On Buruli ulcer, Adesigbin said efforts were underway to expand access to diagnosis, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmation, through collaboration with relevant institutions and development partners.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases (NIPHID), Dr. Dalhatu Aminu, described the five-week programme as an important capacity-building initiative for disease-control supervisors.
Aminu stressed the importance of accurate data collection and reporting, saying information generated at the local government level helped shape national policies and attract funding.
“You are the engine that drives our reporting system and the accuracy of our national statistics depends on you,” he said.
Head of Training at NIPHID, Mrs. Jiya Chitumu, stressed the importance of strong laboratory systems for prompt diagnosis, determination of drug resistance and timely commencement of treatment.
She urged participants to develop action plans for improving disease management, documentation and implementation of control activities at their duty posts.
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