BREAKING: FG announces outbreak of new disease in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it has distributed epidemiologists and vaccines to contain the outbreak of a new a concern of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in some parts of the country.

The outbreak of this CSM has already claimed five lives in Gada and Wauru towns of Gada Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said this yesterday, Thurday, March 16, in Abuja that the new tension, which is actually uncommon in Nigeria, was brought into the country from Niger Republic.

He noted that the new strain involves a different type of vaccine and a team of epidemiologists have been sent down to the affected regions to address the encounter.

He called the outbreak of meningitis in Zamfara and Sokoto states as an unfortunate occurrence, emphasizing that the ministry is on its feet working tirelessly to arrest the situation.

Adewole said: “It has become an annual ritual under this administration; we would want to put an end to annual outbreak of meningitis in some of the northern states.

“I have just spoken with the commissioner for health in Zamfara who is appreciative of what the Federal Ministry of Health has been doing through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“We have sent field epidemiologists; they are actually called disease detectives, to support them at the state level.”

He continued by saying that government have made available vaccines and would never relent in terms of whatever was needed with regards to material and technical support to contain the outbreak.

He continued: “What we know in public health is that there is always an outbreak, but what is uncertain is where and the type.

“We want to be ready at any time.”

Adewole said a meeting has been scheduled with the commissioners of health from the Northern parts of the country to bring on a good plan and strong strategy to put an end to this menace in the country.

He claimed all the northern states especially, northwest region are liable to get the disease and the states would be treated correspondingly when challenged by outbreaks such as this.

The minister said: “When people are coughing let them be referred to facilities, open windows and ensure that we do not get infected easily.

“Children are more susceptible and when they have unusual fever they should also be referred to the hospital.”

According to the minister, many diseases such as Lassa fever, meningitis and other diseases generally take place during the dry season and we expect many health issues.

“Global warming had changed many things; as far as we are concern we would be ready for many things,’’ Adewole said.

Speaking on the outbreak of CSN that has already claimed five lives in Sokoto State (Gada and Wauru towns), Dr Balarabe Kakale, who is the state Commissioner for Health, said that the victims died at the Gada General Hospital and Wauru Primary Health Centre.

Kakale said: “Three of the deaths were recorded at the Gada General hospital, while two were recorded at the Wauru PHC.”

A related report of outbreak was also reported from Zamfara on Tuesday, March 14, 2017.