Umar Akilu Majeri
No fewer than 65 people recorded mostly children under 11 years lost their lives to an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in Jigawa state.
Report from the state indicated that there was an outbreak of the disease in the state some times last month and the case worsen in Nigeria/Niger republic border local government areas in the state.
Findings by our reporter in the state revealed that a number of people lost their hearing (ears) as a result of the disease in many parts of the state.
While visiting some villages with high rate of cases which includes Mele, Dungundun, Kanya Arewa and Dantanoma villages in Babura, Gumel, Maigatari and Suletankarkar local government areas by our reporter gathered that there was no presence of government as parents and relative of the victims was left helpless.
Our reporter found out that about 65 people died across the state as over 360 cases were recorded.
Speaking to our reporter the village head of Dungundun, Malam Alkasim Yakubu said “we lost 19 people in this village, the majority were children”.
According to the village head, “the problem started around April ending, but the disease continues in last month. But the situation worsens some weeks back and infection and death were high”.
Malam Alkasim Yakubu noted that over 50 cases were recorded in the village, “19 died 2 people lost ears (hearing), it was shocking, we never experienced such disaster”.
He added that “we took the patients to Danladin Gumel health post where many died there, while some at home before taken to hospital”.
Some of them where refered to Gumel general hospital, “the parents and the relatives of the victims paid their sons, daughters and relatives medical bills”
Also speaking the Bulama (village head) of Mele village in Gumel local government area, Malam Yusuf Ahmad said “21 people died and over 30 cases recorded”.
While the village head of Kanya Arewa in Babura local government area, Alhaji Akilu Dawaki stated that the CSM killed19 people in his domain and recorded over 70 cases.
According to him “what helps us in controlling the disease was we locally established an isolation center and move the patients there.
When contacted the state phonologist, in the ministry of health, Malam Samaila Mahmud confirmed the outbreak.
The phonomogiat said “a record available in the ministry indicated that 65 people died, 257 cases recorded in 18 out of 27 local government areas of the state.
