PLATEAU STATE RECORDS ESTIMATED 11,000 TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN 2026

Plateau State has recorded an estimated 11,000 TB cases in 2026, with 2,047 patients placed on treatment between July and September. Stigma, insecurity, displacement and medicine shortages are hindering efforts to control the disease. Health authorities are increasing community screening and awareness to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

Plateau State in north-central Nigeria has recorded an estimated 11,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2026, highlighting the continuing public health challenge posed by the infectious disease.
Yohanna Bot, monitoring and evaluation officer of the Plateau State tuberculosis programme, disclosed the figures during a media-focused advocacy meeting in Jos, the state capital, on Sunday evening.
According to Bot, 2,047 patients were identified and placed on treatment between July and September. The patients are receiving care at health facilities across the state as health authorities work to detect more infections and prevent further transmission.
The estimated burden is based on a prevalence rate of 219 TB cases per 100,000 people. However, the estimated 11,000 cases should not be confused with the number of patients already diagnosed. The figure represents the projected scale of the disease, while the 2,047 patients are those identified and placed on treatment during the three-month period.
The figures underline the importance of early testing, improved access to healthcare and sustained public awareness to ensure that people with TB receive treatment before their condition worsens or they infect others.

HOW TUBERCULOSIS SPREADS AND WHO IS MOST AT RISK

Bot identified airborne transmission, overcrowding, malnutrition and weakened immune systems as factors contributing to the spread of tuberculosis in Plateau State.
TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most commonly affect the lungs, although other parts of the body can also be affected. It spreads through the air when a person with infectious TB in the lungs or throat releases bacteria by coughing, speaking or singing.
People who share crowded or poorly ventilated spaces may face a greater risk of exposure, particularly when an infectious person has not been diagnosed or has not started effective treatment.
Children under five and older people are among the groups that may be particularly vulnerable to severe illness. People living with weakened immune systems, including those affected by certain medical conditions, may also have a higher risk of developing active TB after infection.
Malnutrition can further increase vulnerability by weakening the body's ability to fight infection. This means that preventing and controlling TB requires more than providing medicines. Access to nutritious food, adequate housing, ventilation and healthcare also plays an important role.

STIGMA AND FALSE BELIEFS DELAY MEDICAL CARE

The Plateau State tuberculosis official warned that stigma and misconceptions continue to prevent some residents from seeking medical attention promptly.
Bot said some people still attribute the disease to spiritual or ritual causes rather than recognising it as a bacterial infection that can be diagnosed and treated medically.
Such beliefs can lead patients to delay visiting health facilities or rely exclusively on non-medical approaches while the disease progresses. During this delay, a person with infectious pulmonary TB may also expose family members and others in the community.
Stigma can create additional difficulties because people may fear being rejected, isolated or judged after disclosing their diagnosis. Some may avoid testing or conceal their symptoms to protect their reputation.
Health authorities therefore need to provide accurate information in languages and formats that communities understand. Religious leaders, traditional leaders, teachers, community health workers and the media can help explain how TB spreads and why early diagnosis matters.
Tuberculosis is not evidence of a spiritual or ritual problem. It is a medical condition, and people suspected of having the disease should be encouraged to seek professional assessment and follow the treatment prescribed by qualified health workers.

INSECURITY AND DISPLACEMENT COMPLICATE TB CONTROL

Insecurity has created further obstacles to tuberculosis detection and treatment in parts of Plateau State, particularly in Mangu, Jos South and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
Violence has forced some residents to leave their homes and live in internally displaced persons' (IDP) camps. Displacement can interrupt access to healthcare, separate patients from their usual health facilities and make it difficult for health workers to maintain regular follow-up.
Overcrowded living conditions may also increase the risk of airborne infections spreading, especially where ventilation is poor and people spend extended periods in shared spaces.
For patients already receiving TB treatment, displacement can make it harder to obtain medicines consistently or attend scheduled appointments. Interruptions in treatment can threaten recovery and, in some circumstances, contribute to treatment failure or drug resistance.
Bot said health workers were prioritising community outreach and active screening in displacement camps and correctional centres to identify infections earlier.
These efforts are important because people may not recognise TB symptoms immediately or may be unable to travel to a health facility. Taking screening services closer to vulnerable populations can help identify suspected cases and connect them with diagnostic testing and appropriate treatment.

MEDICINE SHORTAGES RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUITY OF CARE

Bot also raised concerns about shortages of anti-TB medicines, linking supply gaps to disruptions in the supply chain and heavy reliance on international funding, particularly support from the Global Fund.
Consistent access to effective medicines is essential because TB treatment generally requires several medicines taken over a prescribed period. Patients need a reliable supply and regular clinical follow-up to complete treatment successfully.
When medicines become unavailable, patients may struggle to continue their treatment as directed. Interrupted or inappropriate treatment can increase the risk of poor outcomes and may contribute to the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Dependence on external funding can also leave health programmes vulnerable when funding arrangements, procurement or international supply chains are disrupted. Ensuring dependable supplies therefore requires effective planning, timely procurement, distribution and sufficient funding for diagnosis and treatment.
Health authorities must also ensure that patients can obtain care without facing financial or logistical barriers that encourage them to abandon treatment.

NIGERIA'S CONTINUING TUBERCULOSIS BURDEN

Nigeria remains among the countries with a high burden of tuberculosis globally. The disease continues to place pressure on health services, particularly in communities where access to testing, medicines and specialist care is limited.
Although TB is preventable and curable, many infections can go undetected when people do not recognise the symptoms, fear discrimination or cannot reach a health facility. Some patients may initially mistake persistent coughing, fever, night sweats, weight loss or tiredness for other illnesses.
A cough lasting two weeks or longer is an important warning sign that should prompt medical assessment, although TB can sometimes present differently. Anyone with concerning symptoms should visit a health facility for evaluation rather than assume that the illness is tuberculosis or attempt to treat it without professional advice.
Diagnosis may involve sputum testing and other investigations, depending on the patient's symptoms and the services available. Once TB is diagnosed, patients should take their medicines exactly as prescribed and complete the full treatment course, even if they begin to feel better.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment protect the patient and help reduce the spread of infection to other people.

COMMUNITY SCREENING AND RELIABLE MEDICINE SUPPLIES ARE KEY

Plateau State's reported TB burden highlights the need to strengthen community screening, improve access to diagnostic services, address misinformation and ensure that medicines remain available.
Health workers will need to continue reaching vulnerable populations, including displaced residents and people in correctional facilities, while ensuring that patients who have already started treatment can complete it.
Public awareness campaigns should also challenge stigma and explain that tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that can be treated. Communities need to understand the importance of seeking medical care early, supporting affected people and following appropriate health advice.
Reliable funding, stronger medicine supply chains and closer cooperation between health authorities and community organisations will be essential to sustaining these efforts.
The number of patients identified and treated represents progress in detecting the disease, but the estimated 11,000-case burden suggests that further work is needed to find undiagnosed infections and ensure that every patient who needs care can receive it.