From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
The death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State has risen to 31, with 469 suspected cases recorded across 10 local government areas.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this in Jos while briefing journalists on measures being taken to contain the disease.
Baamlong said suspected cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, but the situation escalated in August with a sharp increase in infections and fatalities.
He noted that only three of the 469 suspected cases have so far been confirmed through laboratory tests.
According to him, Jos North has the highest number of suspected cases with 370, followed by Wase with 29, Jos South with 22, Barkin Ladi and Mangu with 16 each.
Others are Pankshin with five cases, Kanam and Mikang with four each, Shendam with two, and Bassa with one case.
In response to the outbreak, the government has activated an Incident Management System involving government agencies, health workers and development partners to coordinate response efforts.
Baamlong explained that the system will support case tracking, resource coordination, monitoring of response activities and provision of reliable information to residents.
He added that health officials are conducting active case searches and contact tracing, with traditional and community leaders assisting in identifying suspected cases.
Patients with mild symptoms are being treated within their communities, while drugs and other medical supplies have been provided at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital for severe cases requiring isolation and intensive care.
Schools, particularly in Jos North, have been included in the response plan, with teachers from public and private schools trained to recognise early signs of diphtheria and take appropriate action.
On vaccination, the commissioner said over 160,000 children have received diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while more than 30,000 have received the Pentavalent vaccine.
He said the state is also leveraging radio, television and other media platforms to sensitise residents on the symptoms of the disease and the need to seek prompt medical attention.
Baamlong urged parents and residents to report suspected cases and cooperate with health workers during contact tracing and vaccination exercises.
He further called on traditional and community leaders to support health officials in identifying cases and encouraging families to seek early treatment.
The Plateau State Government is receiving support from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, the Red Cross, FHI 360, Save the Children, Life Helpers and Chigari Foundation.
The commissioner assured that government will continue to strengthen surveillance, expand vaccination where necessary and improve access to treatment to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.