The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures on Tuesday, September 1, saying nine patients were currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
Baamlong said affected patients were being treated in isolation, while the state government had intensified surveillance and community sensitisation to prevent further transmission.
“So far, we have 143 suspected cases; we have had 23 deaths and nine currently on admission at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos,” he said.
The commissioner identified late presentation of patients and difficulty accessing diphtheria antitoxin as major challenges confronting the state’s response to the outbreak.
He explained that diphtheria can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact, including coughing, sneezing and prolonged association with an infected person.
Baamlong also disclosed that the state was facing difficulties confirming suspected cases because it lacked specialised containers required for collecting and transporting samples to laboratories.
“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,” he said.
He said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was aware of the situation and that the state was expecting assistance, particularly with diphtheria antitoxin and the specialised containers needed for sample collection.
Meanwhile, the state government has activated awareness campaigns across affected communities, working with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to educate residents about the disease, its symptoms, transmission and preventive measures.
“We have so far activated awareness campaigns in communities through traditional rulers and other stakeholders to curtail the spread,” Baamlong stated.
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