At least 23 people have died and 143 others are suspected to have contracted diphtheria across communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, as outbreaks simultaneously spread in Katsina and Kano states, health officials confirmed this week.
Plateau State Commissioner for Health Dr Nicholas Baamlong disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Jos. Further saying most of the casualties were recorded in the last three weeks alone. Nine patients are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, both at isolation centres. The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer in Jos North recorded 15 deaths from 117 suspected cases within the LGA.
Challenges Involved
The commissioner identified two critical barriers hampering the state’s response. The first is a shortage of diphtheria antitoxin, the primary treatment for severe cases. The second is the absence of specialised sample collection containers needed to send specimens to laboratories for diagnostic confirmation.
“We are having challenges with the diagnosis because the sample is supposed to be collected in a special container so that we can send it for confirmation, but we do not have such containers,” Baamlong said.
The NCDC has been notified and the state is awaiting support.
The National Picture
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded more than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases across the country so far in 2026.
NCDC Director General Dr Jide Idris noted that the proportion of cases resulting in death had declined compared with the same period last year.
Idris identified gaps in vaccination coverage as the leading driver of the outbreak, particularly among children who are unvaccinated or have not completed their recommended doses. Insecurity, hard-to-reach communities, and population displacement are further complicating efforts to reach eligible children. He urged parents to take unvaccinated children to the nearest health facility immediately and confirmed that diphtheria vaccines are available free of charge through routine immunisation services.
Diphtheria spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with infected persons. Vaccinated children typically experience milder symptoms. Those without complete vaccination are at significantly higher risk of severe illness and death. The disease is preventable.
READ ALSO: https://alo360.net/brain-eating-amoeba-naegleria-fowleri-death-north-carolina-2026/
