The Plateau State Government has ordered immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state as a precautionary measure against suspected cases of diphtheria.
Penpushing reports that by the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap made this known in a statement, explaining that the closure takes effect from Monday 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.
Penpushing further reports that the commissioner added that the closure applied to all schools, including those that have already resumed for the new term, emphasizing that schools that have already resumed academic activities are also directed to close from Monday, and remain closed until further notice.
The statement equally urged parents, teachers and school owners to comply fully with the directive, in ensuring that students and pupils remain safely at home throughout the period as part of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing
“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’, she added
Penpushing also reports that the closure comes amid growing concern over a suspected diphtheria outbreak in the state, however, health authorities in the state 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.
The disease spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets and is common in crowded settings such as schools, while it would be recalled that Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has, in the past, advised states to intensify vaccination, public sensitisation and early case detection to prevent wider transmission.
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