An outbreak of diphtheria in parts of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has killed 15 people among 117 suspected cases reported, health authorities have said.

The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Jos North, Baks Bulus, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interaction with journalists in Jos.

Mr Bulus said the deaths were recorded within three days of the outbreak, warning that the number of cases could increase if urgent measures were not taken to contain the disease.

“So far, according to the data we have gathered from the communities, 117 people are suspected to have contracted the disease. Out of this number, we have already recorded 15 deaths,” he said.

Among those who died were two siblings aged between 12 and 17 years, according to the official.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can spread from person to person, particularly through close contact with an infected person, Mr Bulus explained.

He said sharing personal items such as utensils and towels could increase the risk of transmission.

According to him, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways of preventing severe complications and deaths from the disease.

“For children who have been vaccinated, the effects may be milder and may not lead to death. But for a child who has not been fully vaccinated or has not completed the required doses, it can be deadly,” he said.

Mr Bulus urged residents of the affected communities to maintain good hygiene, avoid overcrowded places, and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms suspected of being associated with diphtheria.

He also cautioned residents against self-medication or relying solely on patent medicine vendors.

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“Most times, people resort to chemists and self-medication, which we do not advise. The best approach is to visit primary healthcare centres where we have the necessary structures and personnel in place,” he said.

The DSNO said health workers had been deployed to affected communities to intensify disease surveillance, sensitise residents and support efforts to prevent further transmission.

He urged parents and guardians to ensure that children receive the recommended doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain further details from the Plateau State Ministry of Health were unsuccessful.

The State Epidemiologist, Maren Job, did not respond to calls placed to her phone.

Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has described the recent Osun State governorship election as a wake-up call for Northern voters and other Nigerians whom he believes have become passive in exercising their voting rights.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Shehu argued that the election demonstrated how determined voters can resist political pressure, despite the resources and influence of those in power.

According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) entered the election with the full advantage of incumbency and deployed significant human and material resources in an effort to win.

“APC, its state, local and federal mights were not in Osun to lose elections but to prove their supremacy and take advantage of their incumbency at the federal level,” he wrote.

He claimed that the party left nothing to chance but said voters remained focused on what they wanted and refused to be influenced by inducements, intimidation or last-minute promises.

“They met a thick wall erected by voters who had defined what they wanted and nothing short of it, no matter the inducement, intimidation and afterthought last-minute empty promises,” he said.

Shehu also argued that if similar efforts had been directed at voters in parts of Northern Nigeria and the South-East, the outcome could have been different.

He alleged that many Northern voters are often influenced by sentiments and immediate needs, while describing many Southern voters as awake, alert, cautious and choosy in making electoral decisions.

He urged voters, particularly in the North, to reflect on the lessons from the Osun election and make future voting decisions based on their long-term interests.

“Hope Northern and other docile and timid voters will think, act, behave and vote wisely in their best interest,” he said.