Urgent Action Needed as Diphtheria Cases Exceed 300 in Plateau

Odeh Paul Agabi, a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist, called on the Plateau state government and health authorities to intensify vaccination, surveillance, and treatment efforts in response to a diphtheria outbreak that has recorded more than 300 suspected cases and 27 deaths, mostly among children. In an interview, Agabi highlighted the concentration of cases in Jos North, particularly in Rikkos community, warning that the outbreak could worsen without prompt action.

He recommended closing schools in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa, and Wase local government areas and suggested deploying diphtheria antitoxin to the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau State Specialist Hospital. Agabi emphasized that Nigeria has been facing diphtheria since a major outbreak began in Kano State in 2022, noting significant gaps in vaccination coverage.

He stressed the importance of stronger laboratory surveillance to assess immunity levels and the strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in affected communities, as well as the need for timely access to diphtheria antitoxin to reduce severe illness and death risks.