Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, has released N30 million to combat the spread of a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in four Local Government Areas of the state.
Addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Isma’ila listed the affected LGAs as Gwandu, Jega, Aliero, and Argungu.
He said the N30 million was meant to procure drugs and other consumables for responsive activity to cushion the effect of the dreaded disease.
The commissioner said the disease, which had not been officially confirmed as cerebrospinal meningitis had already claimed the lives of at least 26 persons in the affected local government areas.
“In week seven, we are saddled with the unfortunate situation of outbreak rising number of cases more than usual, characterized by symptoms like fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitive to light.
“A total of 248 suspected cases was line-listed; 11 samples were taken and sent to the National Reference Laboratory, Abuja for confirmation.
“Two samples results turned negative from the national reference laboratory Abuja, one in Jega and another one in Gwandu LGAs,” he said.
The commissioner noted that nine samples results were pending from the national reference laboratory, Abuja.
He explained that of the 26 deaths, 15 people died in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, and 4 in Aliero, while Argungu recorded one death.
In an effort to stem the spread of the menace, Isma’ila said an advocacy visit to stakeholders was carried out in partnership with World Health Organisation (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
On measures put in place, the commissioner confirmed that drugs had been distributed alongside other commodities to the affected Local Government Areas.
“Isolation centers were set up in Gwandu, Jega and Aliero, while, drugs and other consumables were also provided,” he said.
Isma’ila, then, called on the general public to comply with health instructions and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility for necessary action.
