By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Not less than 100 people mostly children under 11 years have 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 cases of which have worsen at Nigeria/Niger boarder local government areas in the state.
Findings by the National Update in the state indicated that many persons lost their hearing as a result of the disease in many parts of the state.
A visit to some villages with severe cases that such as Mele, Dungundun, Kanya Arewa and Dantanoma villages in Babura, Gumel, Maigatari and Suletankarkar local government areas indicated that government’s presence was not noticed as parents and relatives of victims were helpless
Our reporter gathered that over 360 cases have been recorded out of which about 100 lost their lives across the state.
The village head of Dungundun, Malam Alkasim Yakubu told National Update that, theylost 19 people in the village, majority of whom he said were children.
According to the village head “The problem started around April ending, but the disease continued unabated last month, adding that the situation worsened some weeks back as infection and death level have remained high”.
Malam Yakubu noted that over 50 cases were recorded in the village, “19 died 2 persons lost their hearing, it is shocking, we have never experienced such a disaster”.
He added that they took the patients to Danladin Gumel health post where many died, while some suffered so much at home before being taken to hospital”.
Also speaking, the Bulama (village head) of Mele village in Gumel local government area, Malam Yusuf Ahmad said “21 persons died and over 30 cases recorded”.
The village head of Kanya Arewa in Babura local government area, Alhaji Akilu Dawaki indicated that the disease killed 19 in his domain as they recorded over 70 cases.
He said what has helped in his domain is that, on their own they decided to establish an Isolation center where the patients are immediately evacuated to.
When contacted a senior medical worker in the ministry of health, Malam Samaila Mahmud confirmed the outbreak.
He said “The record available in the ministry indicated that 65 people have died, 257 cases recorded in 18 out of 27 local government areas of the state.