By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State Government has confirmed the death of one person from cerebrospinal meningitis and 5 others suspected of meningitis.
This was disclosed by the State’s Commissioner for Health Dr Habu Ɗahiru during a press briefing on the suspected outbreak of meningitis in Nafaɗa Local Government Area of the state.
Dr Ɗahiru said “Contrary to the rumours in circulation that tens of people were killed by a yet to be identified illness, investigations by our health experts from the ministry and other international health organizations as well as laboratory tests, proved that only two cases came out positive in Funakaye Local Government, from which one is dead while the remaining five in Nafaɗa were suspected to be meningitis”.
He said out of the 95 cases brought forward, 84 were treated and discharged, 29 samples collected for test out of which 20 returned negative, 2 positive, 7 awaiting results, while 6 still on admission.
The Commissioner said the state’s response team is activated for surveillance in all wards of the two local government areas to further contain the situation.
He said the situation at hand cannot be declared outbreak, as confirmed cases are not up to 10 in 100,000 population in a week.
He however said measures to include activation of Emergency Operation Centres, sensitization campaigns on traditional and religious leaders, provision of free drugs and consumables for treatment of suspected cases, as well as collection of samples for onward transmission to NCDC laboratories for testing were put in place.
Dr Habu Ɗahiru advised people of the state to avoid sleeping in congested rooms especially now that meningitis cases are prevalent.
The commissioner urged people of the state to always sleep in ventilated environments, and quickly report any suspected case of meningitis to nearby health facility.
He equally discouraged citizens against spreading rumours or subscribing to unverifiable information not emanating from health officials especially on social media platforms.
He added that with the full support enjoyed from the state governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the state’s ministry of health is ready to squarely address any health concern in the state.