Plateau shuts schools over diphtheria outbreak

The Plateau State Government has directed the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state as a precautionary measure against suspected cases of diphtheria.

The government gave the order on Saturday in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap.

According to Ramnap, the closure takes effect from Monday(tomorrow) and will remain in force “until further notice.”

“The directive… is taking preventative measures against the diphtheria infection outbreak of suspected cases in some parts of the State, notably Jos North, Wase, Jos South & Bassa Local Government Areas,” she said.

The commissioner added that the closure applied to all schools, including those that have already resumed for the new term.

“Accordingly, schools that have already resumed academic activities are also directed to close from Monday, and remain closed until further notice,” she added.

Parents, teachers and school owners have been urged to comply fully with the directive.

“Furthermore, school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians are to comply fully with the directive and ensure that students and pupils remain safely at home throughout the period as part of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff during the period under review,” the commissioner said.

The closure comes amid growing concern over a suspected diphtheria outbreak in the state.

Health authorities in Plateau confirmed that suspected cases have been reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas in recent weeks, prompting the Ministry of Health to activate surveillance and response teams in the affected communities.

Diphtheria spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets and is common in crowded settings such as schools.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has, in the past, advised states to intensify vaccination, public sensitisation and early case detection to prevent wider transmission.

In response, the state government said the school closure was intended to limit exposure among children while health workers conduct contact tracing, vaccination mop-up and decontamination in the identified areas.