Plateau State records 11,000 tuberculosis cases in 2026

Plateau State has recorded an estimated 11,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2026, according to Yohanna Bot, the monitoring and evaluation officer for the state’s Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme. Data from a recent quarterly survey revealed that 2,047 patients were identified and placed on treatment between July and September alone.

The state reports a TB prevalence rate of 219 per 100,000 population. Health officials identified several factors driving the spread, including malnutrition, advanced age, weakened immune systems—particularly among children under five and people living with HIV—and overcrowding.

Insecurity and the resulting displacement of populations have further complicated detection and management efforts. In areas such as Mangu, Jos South, and Barkin Ladi, the establishment of camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) has created overcrowded conditions that facilitate rapid transmission. Additionally, social stigma and misconceptions, such as attributing the disease to spiritual or ritual causes, continue to hinder early diagnosis and prompt medical treatment.