Jigawa state confirms meningitis outbreak in six LGAs

The director of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHC), Dr Shehu Sambo, has confirmed a cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in six local government areas of the state.

READ ALSO: Meningitis: Gombe state treats 84 suspected cases, records 6 deaths

The director made the confirmation in Dutse, Jigawa State’s capital, shortly after flagging off the 2024 Polio Immunization exercise at the palace of the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hamim Nuhu Sunusi.

Dr. Shehu Sambo explained that cases of the disease had been recorded early last week in some local government areas in the northern part of the state.

According to him, “The local government areas where the outbreak was recorded are neighbouring and share a direct border with Niger Republic.”

The local government areas are Babura, Birniwa, Malam Madori, Maigari, Kaugama, and Suletankarkar.

“These are in the northern part of the state and share a direct border with Niger Republic, where we have isolated cases.”

“The local government has fallen into what we call the Meningitis belt. Presently, I can’t tell you the number of cases, but I can confirm to you that we have some cases, and all the cases have been isolated at general hospitals in those various local governments.”

Dr. Sambo maintained that, the government has already taken appropriate measures, and efforts are ongoing. All the cases have been isolated in the affected local governments.

“Even this morning, we dispatched teams with vaccines to go and start immunizing the target population in affected areas.”

The PHC director called on the people in the state to take precautionary measures against the disease by sleeping in well-ventilated areas and avoiding overcrowding in rooms and apartments while sleeping.

People should also endeavour to report any signs and symptoms of the disease to the nearest health facility.