No fewer than six Cerebrospinal meningitis-related deaths from two Local Government Areas have been confirmed by Gombe State Government.
Debunking strange killer disease, Commissioner for Health Dr Habu Dahiru, said five persons died in Nafada and one in Funakaye LGAs.
Dahiru disclosed that 95 was the number of cases line listed, while 84 was the number of cases treated and discharged.
According to him six are currently on admission, from 29 samples collected.
He said, “Positive cases from Funakaye are two, 20 are negative. Results are being awaited for seven. Number of mortalities recorded six (five in Nafada, one in Funakaye.”
While debunking the viral strange disease as called called by House of Representatives, Habu added that the ministry has commenced sensitisation of religious leaders on Cerebrospinal meningitis to make announcements during worship sessions to congregants.
“We have disease notification officer who sends reports. We received rumour which triggered our investigation that people died in hundreds, that there are cases of deaths. we went round to trace them but we didn’t see the graves. Someone, stayed in Abuja to state deaths, you should ask him where he got his data. Formally, we received cases with symptoms suggestive of Cerebrospinal meningitis in Nafada LGA on the 18th of February and immediately swung into action.
“I, cannot activate an Integrated Management System now because we have not reached the threshold for Cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak which is 10 confirmed cases in a population of 100,000 people in 1 week.
“We are now at Alert Threshold in Nafada and Funakaye LGAs. I have since day one activated an Emergency Operation Centre, comprising of WHO, UNICEF, NCDC for suspected CSM and also rule out Lassa fever,” he added.
Recall that House of Representatives resolution followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance moved by Abdullahi El-Rasheed, the member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Gombe State.
El-Rasheed said, “The House is disturbed that the blood samples of few victims that were tested in medical laboratory have shown negative reaction to Cerebrospinal Meningitis, which implies that the disease is yet to be diagnosed by health authorities and medical experts in Gombe State.
“Worried that the disease is fast spreading with about 30 deaths recorded as of February 26, 2024, and can potentially halt business and school activities across the communities as parents are afraid of sending their children to school due to fear of contracting the disease.”
