The Kebbi state government has announced that 26 people died from suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in four local government areas of the state.
Commissioner for Health Comrade Yunusa Musa Isma’ila made this public at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi Tuesday.
The statistics show that 15 people passed away in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, 4 in Aliero and 1 person in Argungu.
“248 cases are line listed, 11 samples have been taken to the National Referral Laboratory, Abuja, for confirmation out of which 2 samples turned negative, one each in Jega and Gwandu, while results of 9 samples are pending,” the commissioner said.
Comrade Isma’ila explained that symptoms of the disease entailed fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach-ache, vomiting, diarrhoea and sensitivity to light.
“The government hereby directs all persons suffering from these symptoms to report to nearest health facilities without resorting to self-medication at home.
Isolation centres have been established in affected areas and other places, people falling sick should hasten to report to the hospital.
“As part of protective measures, people should avoid sleeping in overcrowded rooms, maintain personal hygiene and clean environment, ensure regular washing of hands after visit to the toilet and touching dirtiness, people should also stop visiting patients in Isolation Camps,” Isma’ila warned.
He announced the release of N30 million by Governor Nasir Idris for procurement of drugs and consumables for response activity to cushion the effect on patients.
…Diphtheria in Lagos
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has confirmed 14 cases of Diphtheria at King’s College Annex, Victoria Island, with one fatality recorded.
And in a swift response, the ministry of health launched an emergency vaccination exercise for students and staff members to curb the spread of the bacterial infection.
Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, disclosed this Tuesday during a visit to the school, assuring parents and the public that the situation was under control, and that affected students were receiving appropriate treatment.
He said 12 of the infected students were responding well to antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin therapy.
“We have provided diphtheria-tetanus vaccines and are ensuring that all students and staff members get vaccinated. This includes teachers, cooks, cleaners, and other personnel,” he said.
…Public health measures
Addressing the students on the need for some measures, the commissioner stressed the importance of personal and environmental hygiene, urging them to adopt proper hand washing habits and report any symptoms of Diphtheria promptly.
He said: “Parents should not panic. The best way to contain the infection is by keeping students in a controlled environment where medical teams can monitor and manage the situation.”
The commissioner also advised students to avoid close contact and wear face masks if experiencing symptoms such as coughing or sneezing.
“We have activated our emergency response, and we are working closely with partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and UNICEF, to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent further spread,” the commissioner said.
…Medical condition of affected students
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Wasiu Adeyemo, confirmed that four of the affected students from King’s College admitted to the hospital are in stable condition.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Monday in Lagos, Adeyemo disclosed that two students had been transferred to the ward while the other two remained under close observation in an isolation room.
He noted that the affected students have been given antitoxin to neutralise the Diphtheria toxin and emphasised that the situation is under control, urging the public to remain calm.
…Preventing further spread
Diphtheria spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets, making crowded environments like boarding schools particularly vulnerable.
Parents have expressed concerns over the outbreak, but the government reassured them that proactive measures were in place to safeguard students.
The school’s principal, Mogaji Zakaria and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Peter Olaoluwa, also emphasised the importance of cooperation in ensuring a safe learning environment.
Zakaria commended the Lagos state government for their swift response to the outbreak.
In collaboration with the PTA, the school procured prophylactic medicine for students showing symptoms.
Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had supplied medication that would cater to 100 patients. (Premium Times)
Diphtheria in Nigeria
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system and spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications or death.
The disease is preventable through vaccination, which health officials emphasised as the most effective control method.
Health authorities have urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the complete Diphtheria vaccine dosage as part of routine immunisation programmes.
The Lagos state government’s decision to conduct mass vaccination comes amid rising cases of Diphtheria in Nigeria.
The NCDC has reported 1,280 deaths and over 41,978 suspected cases across 350 local government areas in 37 states.
Of these, 25,298 cases (60.3 per cent) were confirmed, 7,769 (18.5 per cent) were discarded, 3,561 (8.5 per cent) were pending classification, and 5,350 (12.7 per cent) were unclassified.