From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi Government has confirmed 56 deaths and 653 cases as cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak hits three local government areas of the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Nuhu Koko, at a press conference disclosed that 25 deaths were recorded in Gwandu Local Government, 16 in Jega and 14 deaths in Aliero.
“Following the receipt of these reports, active surveillance was commenced with samples taken and sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja to confirm the suspected outbreak of the disease and at the same time case management of those cases was commenced at the general hospitals in the three affected LGAs.
“The current situation now is that 653 suspected cases have been recorded to date. Seventeen samples so far have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. Five sample results returned negative from NRL, Abuja.
“Five samples were positive, Aliero 3, Gwandu 1 and Jega 1. All the five positive case patients were treated and discharged alive. Seven sample results are pending from NRL, Abuja. Fifty six deaths were recorded, 25 in Gwandu, 16 in Jega and 14 in Aliero.”
Koko, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Ismail, commended the government and partners for their efforts to contain the widespread spread of the disease.
He disclosed that 3,000 doses of vaccines were received from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and administered to patients across the state, stressing that the state government had opened isolation centres in the affected Councils, while the state governor, Dr Nasir Idris had released N30 million for the procurement of the vaccines.
Koko said that 1,550 were vaccinated in Aliero LGA, including the University community, 798 in Gwandu LGA and 450 people in Jega LGA, stressing that as soon as additional vaccines arrived, the vaccination would continue state wide.