14th April, 2017
Thirty-three people have died from the Cerebrol Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Niger while 116 suspected case has been recorded, an official disclosed on Friday.
The Executive Director of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPCDA), Dr Yahaya Na’uzo, said that nine persons died from the type C meningitis while the rest of the 24 died of the type A and B since the outbreak in the state.
He said that the disease was currently being contained in Magama, Agwara, Rijau, Kontagora Local government areas, while the suspected case in Suleja was a transit patient from Sokoto and that of Paiko was detected yesterday.
He explained that after the first record of death, the state embarked on sensitisation and awareness campaign to communities to educate the people on preventive measures.
“We now have fewer cases reported per day because communities have been sensitised to report to the nearest hospital as soon as they suspect any case of meningitis.
“People have been educated to quickly report to the nearest hospital once they experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting and stiffness of the neck.
“With this, more people have been coming and the situation has stabilised as no more high report of confirmed cases,” he said.
He said that vaccination would commence immediately the state receives the Type C meningitis vaccines from international communities.
He advised people to desist from self-medication and report to hospital when they notice any sign of CSM.
Nau’zo advised people to always leave windows and doors opened to ensure ventilation in their homes as well as washing of their hands to avoid the spread of the disease.
He said that health personnel had been deployed to rural areas to help contain the spread.