•Diphtheria outbreak
The death toll from the outbreak of Diphtheria in Plateau State has risen to 27 while suspected cases have hit 303.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Maren Damulak , disclosed the figures while speaking with newsmen in Jos, the state capital today.
This is just as the state government said it is making efforts to contain the outbreak of the disease, reports Daily Trust.
He said most of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North LGA, with Rikkos community identified as one of the worst-affected areas.
“As of today, the cases have increased from 149 to 303. The death has also increased from 23 to 27. The high cases of the disease are in Jos North. 99 % of the cases are in Jos North.”
“Most of the people that were affected were those that did not take diphtheria vaccine. Apart from Jos North, we also have few cases from other LGAs Children account for a significant proportion of those affected,” Damulak said.
The state government had last week ordered temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools following the detection of suspected cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas.
The measure, according to the government, was aimed at reducing transmission among students and school staff while health authorities strengthen surveillance and response activities.
Our correspondent reports that some patients are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, PSSH, where isolation facilities have been provided.
In Jos North, the local government council has deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to enhance contact tracing, field surveillance and community outreach.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang had on Monday directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and other medical commodities to health facilities to combat the disease.
The Director-General of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, PSDMA, Pharmacist Kim Jerry Bot, disclosed that government intervention was already ongoing at JUTH and PSSH.
Bot said the state government acted swiftly following reports of the outbreak, adding that efforts were underway to extend the support to other affected health facilities.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Barrister John Kyohroh Christopher, today urged residents to prioritise personal and environmental hygiene to help curb the spread of the disease.
Christopher spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of affected communities and a visit to some suspected patients receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Abba Na Shehu Ward.
