Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Plateau State Government has confirmed a deadly diphtheria outbreak that has claimed at least 23 lives and left 143 suspected cases in its wake, as health authorities scramble to contain a highly contagious disease that has exposed gaping holes in Nigeria's public health infrastructure. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during an interview with journalists in Jos, painting a grim picture of a healthcare system overwhelmed by a disease that should have been prevented with routine vaccination.
The outbreak, which has hit the Rikkos community in Jos North Local Government Area particularly hard, has seen a sharp increase in casualties since earlier reports of 15 deaths and 117 suspected cases. Nine patients are currently hospitalised, receiving treatment in isolation at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau Specialist Hospital.
"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 stated, revealing a basic logistical failure that is hampering efforts to accurately diagnose and track the disease. The commissioner also identified a critical shortage of diphtheria antitoxin and the late presentation of patients at health facilities as major obstacles. "The biggest challenge is getting antitoxin, and most of them are presenting late," he lamented.
The outbreak has once again highlighted the dangers of poor vaccination coverage. Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Jos North, Baks Bulus, warned that children who are unvaccinated or have not completed their doses are at a higher risk of severe illness and death. "Most times, people resort to chemists and self-medication, which we do not advise. The best approach is to visit primary healthcare centres where we have the necessary structures and personnel in place," Bulus urged, cautioning against the dangerous practice of avoiding formal healthcare.
In response, the state government has activated awareness campaigns across communities, leveraging traditional rulers and other stakeholders to educate residents on the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of the disease. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been notified and is expected to provide support, including the urgently needed antitoxin and specialised sample collection containers.
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