Kebbi State government on Tuesday confirmed the death of 26 persons in an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in three Local Government Areas of the state

The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Ismaila, made the confirmation during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi.

“In week seven, we are saddled with unfortunate situation of outbreak rising number of cases more than usual, characterised with symptoms like fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stomach ace, vomiting, diarrhoea and sensitive to light.

“A total of 248 suspected cases was line-listed; 11 samples were taken and sent to National Reference Laboratory, Abuja for confirmation.

“Two samples results turned negative from the national reference laboratory Abuja, one in Jega and another one in Gwandu LGAs.

Nine sample results are pending from the national reference laboratory in Abuja. There have been 26 reported fatalities: 15 in Gwandu, 6 in Jega, 4 in Aliero, and 1 in Argungu, he explained.

Ismaila noted that an advocacy visit to stakeholders was conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

He added that the state government had released N30 million to purchase drugs and other consumables for the responsive activity to cushion the effect.

The Commissioner also said that drugs had been distributed and other commodities to affected Local Government Areas.

“Isolation centres were set up in Gwandu, Jega and Aliero, while, drugs and other consumables were also provided,” he said.

He called on the general public to comply with health instructions and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility for necessary action.