The Plateau State Government has announced that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has risen to 27, with 303 suspected cases recorded so far.

The state’s Chief Epidemiologist, Dr Maren Damulak, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Jos on Thursday.

Damulak said the previous death toll of 23 increased to 27 following the deaths of two parents on Wednesday. He added that suspected cases had also risen sharply from 149 to 303.

According to him, Jos North Local Government Area remains the worst-affected, accounting for about 99 per cent of the recorded cases, particularly in the Rikkos community.

“As of today, the cases have increased from 149 to 303. The death toll has also increased from 23 to 27. Jos North has the highest number of cases. 99% of the cases are in Jos North,” he said.

Damulak said most of those affected had not received the diphtheria vaccine, particularly children whose parents did not take advantage of the government’s free vaccination programme.

He said the state government was taking measures to contain the outbreak, including the temporary closure of primary and secondary schools following the detection of suspected cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase LGAs.

The measure is aimed at reducing transmission among pupils and school staff while health authorities intensify surveillance and response efforts.

Damulak added that the Jos North Local Government Council had deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to support contact tracing, field surveillance and community outreach.

He also said Governor Caleb Mutfwang had directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and other medical supplies to health facilities to strengthen the response to the outbreak.