Rédaction Africa Links 24 with George Ogala
Published on 2024-02-29 19:25:32
The Gombe State Government in north-east Nigeria has reported an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), a contagious disease that causes inflammation in the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Unfortunately, six individuals have lost their lives to this disease, with five deaths occurring in Nafada Local Government Area and one in Funakeye Local Government Area. This information was shared by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, during a press briefing.
The alarm regarding the outbreak was raised on February 18th when individuals in Nafada Local Government Area started displaying symptoms indicative of CSM. In response, the authorities swiftly took action, recording a total of 95 cases, out of which 83 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, with six still under medical care.
To address the situation, an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated, involving organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and NCDC, to manage suspected CSM cases and assess the possibility of Lassa fever. Although an Incident Management System (IMS) has not been initiated due to not meeting the CSM outbreak threshold, the situation remains critical, especially in Nafada and Funakaye Local Government Areas where the Alert Threshold has been reached.
The government has taken proactive measures to combat the spread of CSM by engaging with local communities, religious leaders, and healthcare professionals to raise awareness about the disease, distribute essential medications for free, and conduct comprehensive case searches in affected areas. Furthermore, the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) has been deployed to facilitate sample collection, supply medical resources, and detect active cases to contain the spread and await confirmation on suspected Lassa fever cases.
Amidst this outbreak, the government in Gombe State has been transparent and received unwavering support from state leadership in protecting public health. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and cooperate with health authorities to prevent further spread of CSM by emphasizing the importance of early detection and prompt medical intervention.
Although not all cases of meningitis are caused by excessive heat, health experts recommend avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated places, especially during hot weather, to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Chioma Ofoekii, a medical practitioner, highlighted that seasonal outbreaks are common in Nigeria during hot, dry, and windy weather, hence the importance of avoiding hot environments.
Overall, the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders and the commitment of the Gombe State Government towards containing the spread of CSM and protecting public health are commendable. By raising awareness, providing medical support, and ensuring transparency in their response, they are working towards safeguarding the well-being of the residents in the face of this outbreak.
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