Plateau orders school closures amid diphtheria outbreak

The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools following a diphtheria outbreak, according to a report by Daily Trust. Commissioner for Information Joyce Lohya Ramnap said Governor Caleb Mutfwang issued the directive after suspected cases emerged in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa.

The closure takes effect Monday, September 7, and remains until further notice. Health Commissioner Dr Nicholas Baamlong disclosed Tuesday that 23 people had died from the disease, with nine patients hospitalized at Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital. Officials urged parents to keep children home to curb spread of the highly contagious bacterial infection, which can cause fatal breathing and heart complications.