Diphtheria kills 23 in Plateau as FG targets 500,000 TB cases

• 143 suspected diphtheria cases, 9 hospitalised From Jude Owuamanam, Twenty -three persons have died from a diphtheria outbreak in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, with 143 suspected cases recorded, as the Federal Government also moves to strengthen detection of more than 500,000 new tuberculosis cases expected annually across the country. Nine diphtheria patients are currently hospitalised in Plateau, while health authorities have intensified clinical and community interventions to contain further spread of the disease. Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, who gave the latest figures on Tuesday, said seven patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and two at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital. The figures represent a sharp increase from the 15 deaths and 117 suspected cases earlier reported by health officials.