Gastroenteritis: Sokoto State receives report of return of dead bodies
By Ismail Umar, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Ministry of Health, has received the report of return of 6 persons who died as a result of gastroenteritis disease at Ojota area of Lagos State on 5th September, 2021.
The six persons are indigene of Sanyinna town in Tambuwal local Government area of Sokoto State.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr Ali Inname, made this known in a statement issued to Journalists in Sokoto.
According to him, ”the deceased do earn their living in Lagos by scavenging the refuse dump sites and all of them started having diarrhea and vomiting before eventually died.”
” The incidence is suspected to be Cholera as Ojota is the epicenter of Cholera cases in Lagos State,” he said.
The Commissioner added that the remains of the deceased were brought into the state and had since be buried according to Islamic provision.
He however, said the 5 more people who accompanied the dead persons from Lagos had symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting and a test was carried out also turned positive for Cholera.
“The five persons were all admitted at Primary Health Care Sanyinna and fortunately, 4 of them got better and were discharged home.
“The remaining person is responding to treatment and is having a very good chance of survival too,” he explained.
Free drugs
Dr Inname stressed that free drugs for treatment were supplied to the victims and prophylaxis to their contacts.
He said ”the State Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation closely and it’s under control.”
Dr Inname advised the general public to always ensure personal and Environmental hygiene including regular hand washing with soap and water especially among scavengers.
He said; ”Avoid open defecation and Wells should have platforms to prevent contamination from feces of surface water after rainfall.
“Water should be boiled before use especially in rural areas and report to hospital or isolation camp in your area early when you observe any unusual symptoms or unusual condition.”
The Commissioner commended the State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal for his prompt support to the situation.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
