By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
A suspected outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has claimed 26 lives in four Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, according to the state's Commissioner for Health, Comrade Yunusa Musa Isma'ila.
At a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, Comrade Isma'ila revealed that 15 people died in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, 4 in Alieru, and 1 person in Argungu. He also reported that 248 cases are currently under observation, with 11 samples sent to the National Referral Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation.
Out of the samples sent for confirmation, 2 have tested negative, while the results of 9 others are pending. Comrade Isma'ila warned that symptoms of the disease include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light.
"The government hereby directs all persons suffering from these symptoms to report to the nearest health facilities without resorting to self-medication at home," he advised. Comrade Isma'ila also announced that isolation centers have been established in affected areas and urged people to report to hospitals promptly if they fall sick.
To prevent further spread of the disease, Comrade Isma'ila warned against sleeping in overcrowded rooms, emphasizing the importance of personal hygiene, clean environments, and regular hand washing. He also advised against visiting patients in isolation camps.
In response to the outbreak, Governor Nasir Idris has released N30 million for the procurement of drugs and consumables to cushion the effect on patients.
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Health