Nigeria, Sept. 7 -- The Jos North Local Government has intensified disease surveillance and community sensitisation as health authorities work to contain a diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State.

The council's chairman, John Christopher, on Saturday handed over motorcycles to the local government's health directorate to strengthen field surveillance, contact tracing and community outreach across the area.

The development is expected to enable health workers to reach communities more quickly, conduct follow-up visits, collect samples and identify suspected cases, particularly in areas that are difficult to access.

The intervention comes amid reported diphtheria cases in the area, where 117 suspected cases and 15 deaths had been recorded a...