Plateau Diphtheria Outbreak: 31 Dead, 469 Cases Recorded Across 10 LGAs

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The diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State has claimed 31 lives, with 469 suspected cases recorded across 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs), as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Jos, where he outlined the government’s response to the worsening public health situation.

According to Ba’amlong, sporadic suspected cases had been recorded earlier in 2026, but the outbreak became a major concern from August following a rise in reported infections.

Of the 469 suspected cases, three have so far been laboratory-confirmed.

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

Seventeen patients are currently receiving treatment at isolation centres established at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital.

The state government has supplied medications to the treatment centres to support the clinical management of affected patients while surveillance and case detection efforts continue.

Ba’amlong said the government had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to contain the outbreak, including intensified active case searches, contact tracing and community-based diagnosis and treatment of mild cases.

Health authorities have also stepped up engagement with community leaders to improve public awareness and encourage residents to report suspected infections promptly.

Teachers in public and private schools in Jos North have been trained to identify possible symptoms of diphtheria and respond appropriately, as authorities seek to reduce transmission among school-age children.

Vaccination has also been expanded significantly across the affected areas.

The commissioner said more than 160,000 children had been reached with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, while more than 30,000 children had received Pentavalent vaccines.

He said the number of cases appeared to be declining following increased vaccination, surveillance and community sensitisation activities.

The state government has nevertheless requested additional vaccines from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to strengthen the ongoing response.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can primarily affect the throat and airways. Severe cases can result in difficulty breathing, heart complications and death, particularly among children who are unvaccinated or have not completed their routine immunisations.

Plateau health officials said many of those affected during the current outbreak had missed routine childhood vaccinations, highlighting concerns over gaps in immunisation coverage.

The outbreak also comes amid reports of diphtheria cases in other parts of Northern Nigeria, raising concerns about the continuing vulnerability of communities with low vaccination coverage.

Health authorities are therefore urging parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive their routine vaccines and to seek medical attention promptly when symptoms associated with diphtheria occur.

With 31 deaths already recorded and hundreds of suspected infections under surveillance, health officials are continuing vaccination, contact tracing, treatment and community awareness campaigns in an effort to prevent further spread of the disease.