Plateau shuts schools over suspected diphtheria outbreak

The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools as part of measures to contain suspected cases of diphtheria in the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, announced the directive in a statement on Saturday, saying the closure would take effect from Monday, September 7.

The government said the measure followed the reporting of suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Wase, Jos South, and Bassa Local Government Areas.

Schools that have resumed academic activities are required to close from Monday and remain shut until further notice, the statement said.

The government directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply with the order and ensure that pupils and students remain at home during the period.

It said the measure was intended to protect pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff while health authorities assess and respond to the outbreak.

The government said further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public.

Death toll rises

The school closure comes amid concerns over the increasing number of deaths linked to the outbreak in Plateau.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered on September 3 that the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, said 143 suspected diphtheria cases had been recorded in the state, with 23 deaths and nine patients receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.

However, a resident of Jos North, Usman Sheidu, told the Guardian newspaper that four additional deaths had been recorded in the local government, bringing the reported death toll to 27.

Mr Baamlong said patients identified with the disease were being quarantined at the two hospitals as part of efforts to prevent further spread.

“So far, we have 143 suspected cases; we have had 23 deaths and nine are currently on admission at JUTH and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos,” he said.

He identified late presentation of patients and difficulties in obtaining diphtheria antitoxin as major challenges to the state’s response.

Vaccination urged

Diphtheria is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact. Vaccination is the main means of preventing the disease.

The Plateau government’s decision to shut schools comes as health authorities continue to encourage vaccination and early reporting of suspected cases.

In Kano State, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control recently urged traditional rulers to intensify community sensitisation and encourage residents to accept vaccination against diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

READ ALSO: Diphtheria outbreak kills 15, infects 117 in Plateau

The centre’s Director-General, Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, also urged traditional medicine practitioners and barbers to avoid treating suspected diphtheria cases and instead refer them promptly to health facilities.

The Plateau government urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the temporary closure and other measures being taken to protect residents while the situation is being monitored.

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