No fewer than 15 people have died, while 117 others are suspected to have contracted diphtheria in various communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to Daily Trust, authorities in the local government area confirmed that the outbreak was alarming, warning that more cases could be recorded in the affected communities.
The development came two days after a family in Jos reported the deaths of two children, aged between 12 and 17, from suspected diphtheria infection.
Baks Bulus, Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, DSNO, disclosed the figures at the local government council secretariat on Tuesday.
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Bulus said 117 people had so far been identified as suspected cases, with 15 deaths recorded.
“I can account for what is happening in Jos North. So far, according to the data we have, 117 people gathered from the communities suspected to have had the disease. Out of this number, we have 15 persons already dead based on the record we have as at now,” he said.
He explained that diphtheria is a bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system and can spread through close contact with infected persons.
According to him, people who share utensils, towels and other household items with infected persons are also at risk of contracting the disease.
“It can transmit from person to person. It keeps spreading when people come around the patient. It can be disastrous,” Bulus said.
He noted that vaccinated children were likely to experience milder symptoms, while the disease could be fatal among children who had not been vaccinated or had not completed their vaccination doses.
Bulus stressed that diphtheria is vaccine-preventable, adding that children who receive all three recommended doses would be fully protected.
He urged residents, particularly those in affected communities, to maintain good personal hygiene and take precautionary measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
“Use hand gloves and other protective items at home. People should maintain personal hygiene and avoid overcrowded areas. We advise that people go to the nearest health facility because early detection is key to saving lives,” he said.
The DSNO also advised residents against self-medication or relying on patent medicine vendors, urging them to seek treatment at primary healthcare centres and other government health facilities.
He said personnel from the local government council had been deployed to affected communities to sensitise residents about the disease and measures to prevent its spread.
