The Kano State Ministry of Health on Wednesday identified the strange disease that killed 8 persons in Dungurawa village of Dawakin Tofa Local Government area, as cerebrospinal meningitis.
At a press conference in Kano, the state Commissioner of Health, Kabiru Getso, said his ministry, on receiving the report, dispatched its Rapid Response Team to ascertain the veracity of the report.
Recall that earlier in the week, an outbreak of a strange disease in Dungurawa community, Dawakin Tofa local government area of Kano state has killed at least 10 people mostly children below the age of Nine, Kano Chronicle can report.
It was gathered that the outbreak, which started about two weeks ago, has also left six others in a critical condition at Bichi General Hospital, in Bichi local government area.
Some of the residents, who spoke to DAILY NIGERIAN, described the disease as a terrible epidemic, saying the disease kills very swiftly with little or no early symptoms.
However, the commissioner said “as soon as the ministry received the information, it dispatched its Rapid Response Team, consisting of epidemologists, medical doctors, laboratory scietists, environmentalists ,among others to investigate and confirm the authenticity of the report.
The commissioner said that part of the team’s responsibilities included establishment of the cause of the deaths and identify if there are people with similar conditions so as to avert further deaths.
“On reaching the town, the Rapid Response Team conducted all necessary investigation and search for additional suspected cases. Their findings revealed that the deceased persons had high grade of fever, vomiting and convulsions.
“The first case (index case) developed first symptoms on March 15 and died on the same day even before he was taken to hospital. Between 15th and 25th March, 7 other persons died, most of which are closely related,” he said
Mr Getso added that most of the deceased either did not report to the hospital or reported late.
He further revealed that 6 similar cases were recorded, adding that result of their test showed that were attacked by the CSM.
The commissioner further stated that, to further curtail the spread of the disease, the state government had intensified surveillance at all levels of healthcare delivery.
He added that the government had activated its Rapid Response Team that would be responding promptly to the reported cases of meningitis.
He also cautioned the general public to take measures against the dreaded disease as the state government had been enlightening through media.
He also called on the public to report suspected cases through following phone numbers, 08085455555, 09023755555, 08050595019.
