Plateau Diphtheria Outbreak Worsens as Cases Rise to 303

The Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, John Christopher, said additional logistics had been deployed to support surveillance, contact tracing and community outreach.

He urged residents to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and to report suspected cases promptly to healthcare facilities.

Preventive medications have also been administered to some infants and people who may have been exposed to the infection, according to local officials.

The state government has further mobilised drugs and other medical commodities to facilities treating diphtheria patients.

The Director-General of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Kim Jerry Bot, confirmed that medical supplies had been delivered to the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, with further distribution planned for other treatment centres.

The outbreak is part of wider concerns about diphtheria transmission in several northern Nigerian states.

Recent reporting has indicated significant outbreaks in Plateau, Zamfara and Gombe, with vaccination gaps identified as one of the factors contributing to the spread of the disease.

A recent report found that Plateau had recorded **303 suspected cases and 27 deaths**, while Zamfara and Gombe had also recorded substantial numbers of cases and fatalities since the beginning of 2026.

The situation has renewed attention on routine immunisation and the importance of ensuring that children receive recommended vaccines.

Diphtheria is vaccine-preventable, meaning high vaccination coverage can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks and severe disease.

Health officials are therefore encouraging parents and guardians to ensure that children receive the required immunisations and to cooperate with vaccination teams operating in affected communities.

The closure of schools is also being used as a temporary public-health measure while authorities assess the spread of the disease.

However, the measure has implications for education because prolonged school closures can disrupt learning and affect families across the state.

Authorities will therefore have to balance the need to protect students and staff from infection with the need to restore normal educational activities once the health situation improves.

For now, health officials continue to monitor the outbreak and investigate suspected infections.

Residents in affected areas have been urged not to delay seeking medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with diphtheria or come into close contact with a suspected case.

The latest increase to **303 suspected cases and 27 reported deaths** demonstrates the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for sustained surveillance, vaccination, treatment and public awareness.

With schools temporarily closed and health authorities expanding their response, Plateau State is now focused on preventing further transmission and reducing the number of severe cases and deaths.