Meningitis kills 7 in Sokoto State

The death toll caused by the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis(CSM), in parts of Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State has now risen to seven, according to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN).

The Chairman of the local government, Dr Abdullahi Gada, disclosed this in Gada on Friday, when he addressed newsmen who were on a fact-finding tour of the area.

Gada said that the deaths were recorded between January, this year, to-date.

He stated that the deaths were recorded out of the 77 reported cases during the period under review.

According to the Chairman, “three deaths were recorded at the Wauru Primary Health centre, while four were recorded at the Gada General Hospital.

“In all, the cases were recorded in Gada, Wauru, Kyadawa, Kaffe, Kaddi and Duka-maje, among others.”

Gada further stated that the situation had now been brought under control as only ten persons were currently on admission at the Gada General Hospital.

The council chairman, who is also a Medical Doctor, said that the local government had provided assorted emergency drugs worth about N 2 million, which were being distributed free to the patients.

“We have also deployed medical teams across the area, while immunization services were bolstered.

“The massive immunization exercise is focused on measles, tuberculosis, polio and the six child-killer diseases.

“The state government also deserves commendation for dispatching additional medical teams, drugs and medicaments to the local government,” Gada said.

The chairman appealed to residents of the area to continue to accept immunization, saying that “it helps to prevent other incoming illnesses”.

Gada urged the state government to conduct statewide immunization exercises against measles and CSM.

He also called on the Federal Government and development partners to assist in the statewide immunization exercise.

Also commenting, the acting Principal Medical Officer of the Gada General Hospital, Dr Chinasa Onyemkpa, said: “The outbreak of meningitis in the area was caused by a new string of the disease.

“The people of the area had developed immunity for the old string of the ailment and awareness is key.

“The current problem was aggravated by some formidable factors like traditional beliefs, overpopulation, poor hygiene and congestion, among others.”

Onyempka also stressed the need for the children to be fully immunized, saying that ”it protects them for ten years”.