Diphtheria: Death toll hits 31 as cases rise to 469 in Plateau

By Golok Nanmwa

The death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State has risen to 31, with 469 suspected cases recorded across 10 Local Government Areas of the state.

Worried by the development, the Plateau State Government has activated the Incident Management System, IMS, to strengthen coordination of the response, while Dr. Maren Job Damala has been appointed Incident Manager to lead efforts to contain the outbreak.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing on the outbreak in Jos.

Ba’amlong said, “Although the state recorded sporadic suspected cases earlier in the year, the situation became a significant public health concern from August.

“Of the 469 suspected cases recorded so far, three have been laboratory-confirmed, while 31 deaths have unfortunately been recorded.”

Giving a breakdown of the cases, he said, “Jos North has recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 370, followed by Wase with 29, Jos South 22, Barkin Ladi and Mangu with 16 cases each, Pankshin five, Kanam and Mikang four each, Shendam two and Bassa one case.

On the response to the outbreak, the Commissioner said, “The state’s response has been comprehensive and multi-faceted, involving the engagement and sensitisation of community leaders, intensified active case search and contact tracing, community diagnosis and treatment of mild cases, as well as the provision of treatment commodities to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital for the isolation and management of severe cases.”

He added, “Teachers from public and private schools in Jos North have also been trained on early detection of diphtheria and appropriate response measures.”

On vaccination, Ba’amlong said, “More than 160,000 children have been reached with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while over 30,000 children have received Pentavalent vaccines.

“However, the state currently has a deficit of 250,000 doses required to cover the remaining parts of Jos North and other affected Local Government Areas.”

He said, “Media engagement, production and airing of public enlightenment jingles, as well as printing of Information, Education and Communication materials, are also being utilised to improve awareness, promote early presentation for treatment and encourage community participation in the response.”

On the activation of the Incident Management System, the Commissioner said, “The Incident Management System has been formally activated, with Dr. Maren Job Damala appointed as Incident Manager to coordinate the state’s intensified response to the outbreak.”

According to him, “The Incident Manager will coordinate response activities across sectors and partners, liaise with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, ensure timely implementation of response strategies, monitor and evaluate containment activities, facilitate resource mobilisation and deployment, and ensure effective communication and dissemination of information to the public.”

Ba’amlong said, “The next phase of the response will include continued active case search and contact tracing, possible intensification of vaccination and community sensitisation, regular monitoring and evaluation, as well as coordination meetings among stakeholders to review progress and address emerging challenges.”

Describing diphtheria, he said, “Diphtheria is a highly infectious acute bacterial disease that can affect all age groups, although available data show that children aged two to 14 years are the most affected and more likely to present with severe forms of the disease.”

He listed the symptoms as “cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat, white or greyish patches at the back of the throat, difficulty in breathing, neck swelling and, occasionally, skin rash.”

The Commissioner urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their children were fully vaccinated, saying, “Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease.”

He advised residents to “practise good hygiene, including regular handwashing, avoid close contact with persons showing symptoms, use face masks in crowded areas or when interacting with symptomatic persons, and seek immediate medical attention where diphtheria is suspected.”

Ba’amlong further urged the public to promptly report suspected cases, saying, “Members of the public should report suspected cases to their Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers,

He stressed that “early reporting remains critical to containing the outbreak.”

The Commissioner commended the State and Local Government Rapid Response Teams, saying, “I appreciate the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, UNICEF, Red Cross, FHI360 through the EPiC Project, Save the Children, Life Helpers, Chigari Foundation and other partners for their support.”

He also expressed appreciation to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, saying, “I appreciate the Governor of Plateau State for his continued support and leadership, and call on partners, community leaders, parents, health workers and residents to sustain their cooperation with government as the state works to contain the outbreak and protect the health of its citizens.”

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