Plateau State’s reported diphtheria death toll has risen to 29 as schools reopen following a precautionary closure imposed during the outbreak.
The state had recorded 388 suspected cases and 28 deaths by September 11, according to State Epidemiologist Dr Job Maren, while Health Commissioner Dr Nicholas Baamlong confirmed that the death toll had risen to 29 by September 14.
The figures come from different reporting dates and should not be treated as a single same-day update.
150 samples were still awaiting results
Maren said 150 samples sent to the reference laboratory in Abuja were still awaiting results in the September 11 update.
That means the 388 figure represents suspected cases, not 388 laboratory-confirmed infections.
At the time, 10 patients were receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital and nine at Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
The patients then on admission were reported to be between four and 14 years old.
Schools reopen after precautionary closure
Plateau State directed public and private primary and secondary schools to reopen from September 14 after a temporary closure that took effect on September 7.
The government said the closure allowed health authorities to assess the outbreak and strengthen surveillance, detection and response mechanisms.
As schools reopened, authorities directed school administrators to maintain hygienic environments, remain alert to symptoms and promptly report suspected cases.
Parents and guardians were also advised to seek medical attention for concerning symptoms and avoid concealing suspected infections.
The reopening does not establish that the outbreak has been contained.
Authorities intensify response
Plateau health officials have said surveillance and treatment measures are continuing as the outbreak develops.
The September 11 update said the state was still awaiting vaccines expected for the outbreak and planned to begin vaccination once supplies arrived.
Authorities also urged residents to continue taking precautions, particularly in public transport and at gatherings.
Earlier state reporting identified Jos North as the main concentration of suspected cases, but any current geographic breakdown requires a newer reconciled update.
Latest numbers still need reconciliation
The progression of the reported figures shows why current, dated public-health data remains necessary.
On September 10, the state epidemiologist reported 303 suspected cases and 27 deaths.
By September 11, the reported suspected-case count had risen to 388 and deaths to 28.
By September 14, the health commissioner said the death toll had reached 29.
The state has not yet provided, in the material reviewed by IDNN, a newer suspected-case total to accompany the September 14 death figure.
What Plateau should clarify next
Plateau authorities should publish a reconciled outbreak update showing the latest suspected-case count, returned laboratory results, confirmed cases, current deaths, admissions, recoveries, vaccination status and transmission patterns across affected communities.
For schools, authorities should also show how surveillance and reporting safeguards are functioning after reopening.
The central public-health question is no longer simply whether schools are open. It is whether testing, vaccination, early detection and treatment are keeping pace with an outbreak in which reported deaths have continued to rise.
