Muhammad
Kainuwa, the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health, confirmed
this to journalists in Dutse on Thursday. Mr. Kainuwa said that five suspected
cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) were reported to the ministry.
He explained
that two of the cases were recorded in Gwaram Local Government Area, while one
each was reported from Kirikasamma, Kiyawa and Maigatari Local Government
Areas.
The permanent
secretary added that a 13-year-old boy lost his life to the disease in one of
the cases recorded in Gwaram.
According to
him, the four infected persons had already been treated.
“As of today,
five suspected cases were reported in Kiyawa, Kirikasamma, Gwaram and Maigatari
local government areas.
“In Gwaram,
there were two cases where a 13-year-old boy lost his life.
“And all cases
reported were investigated using standard operation procedures and specimens
were taken also where one was found to be positive,” he said.
Mr. Kainuwa
also said that the ministry had contacted the National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency (NPHCDA) for vaccines.
“The major
challenge is the non-availability of the vaccines.
“But as soon
as the Federal Government made available the vaccines, we will immunise the
affected communities,” said Mr. Kainuwa.
He added that
the ministry had mobilised its Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers
in all the local government areas in order to combat the menace.
Besides, the
permanent secretary said that as part of measures to prevent further spread of
CSM, the ministry is also collaborating with the World Health Organisation
(WHO) for proper documentation of the disease.
“We have also
increased our surveillance in collaboration with WHO particularly in Maigatari
which is along the Nigeria/Niger border.
“The WHO is
also providing more investigative kits, the state government has also
reactivated the Port Health facility in Maigatari.
“Also, we’ve
already commenced creating awareness across the state so that people will able
to prevent themselves from getting infected and also quickly bring to hospital
anyone that has the symptoms.
“We also use
jingles in radio stations in the state so as to reach to the populace,” the
permanent secretary said.
Mr. Kainuwa,
therefore, advised residents to take precautions against the disease and make
sure that they do not sleep in unventilated and crowded rooms. (NAN)
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