Bauchi records 37 deaths as Gastroenteritis infection spreads to 15 LGAs

An outbreak of gastroenteritis infection has killed no fewer than 37 people in 15 local government areas of the Bauchi State.

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The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Authority (BSPHDA), announced this on Saturday.  As of June 3, 2021, the disease had killed 28 people in 13 LGAs.

Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.p

However, the Chairman of BSPHDA, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, on Saturday noted that the disease had spread to two new LGAs with the death toll rising to 37.

Mohammed said that 1,799 cases were recorded from May 25 to the time of compiling the report.

The BSPHDA boss added that the affected LGAs are Bauchi, Darazo, Dass, Giade, Ganjuwa and Jama’are, Misau, Ningi, Shira, Tafawa Balewa, Warji, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Shira, and Zaki.

“The LGAs with the highest number of cases are Bauchi 1,334, Toro 165, Ningi 91 and Dass 60,” he said.

He said the agency had continued to deploy drugs and other medical consumables to all general hospitals in the state.

The chairman also said the state’s rapid response was deploying all measures to curtail the further spread.

He reminded the general public to practice environmental and personal hygiene and report all cases to the nearest health facilities.

MTO/Punch