Plateau State is facing a growing public health concern as the number of suspected diphtheria cases in the state has risen to 469, with 31 deaths recorded.
The figures were disclosed by the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, during a press briefing in Jos.
According to the Commissioner, the suspected cases have been recorded across 10 local government areas of the state, with Jos North accounting for the highest number.
Jos North has recorded 370 suspected cases, followed by Wase with 29, Jos South with 22, while Barkin Ladi and Mangu have recorded 16 cases each.
Pankshin has five cases, Kanam and Mikang four each, Shendam two and Bassa one.
The state government said it has activated an Incident Management System to strengthen its response to the outbreak, while vaccination and other containment measures are being intensified.
About 160,000 children have so far been vaccinated as part of the response.
Headlineswave.ng reports that the development requires greater attention because diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and children remain particularly vulnerable.
Parents and caregivers should therefore pay attention to vaccination schedules and seek medical attention when children develop symptoms that cause concern.
The figures released by the state authorities are based on suspected cases, while only three of the 469 cases had been laboratory-confirmed as of the latest briefing.
Headlineswave.ng will continue to monitor developments and public health advice from the Plateau State Government.
