By Palang Paul
Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, says 23 people have died while 143 suspected diphtheria cases have been recorded across the state.
Baamlong disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Jos on Tuesday 1st September 2026, as health authorities intensified efforts to contain the outbreak reported over the past two weeks.
The Commissioner said nine patients are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, where identified cases have been isolated and placed under medical care.
He explained that the government had also activated community sensitisation campaigns, working with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the disease and prevent further transmission.
According to him, diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with an infected person.
“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,” Baamlong said.
He identified late presentation by patients and difficulties in accessing diphtheria antitoxin as major challenges confronting the state’s response to the outbreak.
Baamlong also disclosed that health authorities were experiencing difficulties confirming suspected cases because the specialised containers required for collecting and transporting samples to laboratories were unavailable.
“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.
The Commissioner assured residents that the state government was strengthening its response and expanding public awareness efforts through traditional institutions and other community stakeholders.
“We have so far activated awareness campaigns in communities through traditional rulers and other stakeholders to curtail the spread,” Baamlong added.
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