Plateau Shuts Schools Over Diphtheria Outbreak

…Government Orders Closure as Suspected Cases Spread Across Four LGAs

The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following a suspected diphtheria outbreak in four local government areas .

CDA News Nigeria reports that the directive, issued by the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice . Schools that have already resumed academic activities are also required to comply with the closure order .

CDA News Nigeria gathered that suspected cases have been reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South, and Bassa Local Government Areas . The state government said the closure is aimed at limiting exposure among children while health workers conduct contact tracing, vaccination mop-up, and decontamination in affected communities .

The latest data from the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, indicates that 143 suspected cases have been recorded, with 23 deaths and nine patients currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital . Health officials identified shortages of diphtheria antitoxin and late presentation of patients as major challenges in the state’s response .

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been notified of the outbreak, with Plateau expecting federal support, including supplies of antitoxin and specialized sample-collection materials . The NCDC previously stated that eight states, including Plateau, account for 98 per cent of confirmed diphtheria cases nationwide, with about 68 per cent of confirmed cases involving unvaccinated individuals .

Keywords: Plateau State, diphtheria outbreak, school closure, NCDC, Jos North, vaccination, public health

Tags: #PlateauState #DiphtheriaOutbreak #SchoolClosure #NCDC #PublicHealth #Nigeria

Facebook Title: BREAKING: Plateau Shuts Schools Over Diphtheria Outbreak as 23 Die

Facebook Description: The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all schools following a suspected diphtheria outbreak across four LGAs. 23 deaths and 143 suspected cases have been recorded. Read full details on CDA News Nigeria.

Nairaland Headline:  — 23 Dead, 143 Suspected Cases Recorded

Canonical URL: www.cdanews.ng/plateau-shuts-schools-diphtheria-outbreak

Source verification: Original reporting based on official statements from Plateau State Government, Commissioner for Information Joyce Ramnap, and Commissioner for Health Nicholas Baamlong.

Editorial Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to accurate and balanced reporting on public health matters.

Byline: By CDA News Nigeria Correspondent

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