The Gombe State Government has officially acknowledged the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), a contagious disease characterized by the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes.
According to the state government, the outbreak has claimed the lives of six individuals, with five fatalities reported in Nafada Local Government Area and one in Funakeye Local Government Area.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, February 29, the Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, disclosed that a total of 95 cases have been documented, out of which 83 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, while six remain under medical care. Despite the absence of the Incident Management System (IMS) activation due to the current outbreak threshold not being met, Dahiru emphasized the critical nature of the situation.
He stated, “The alarm was raised on 18 February when reports surfaced of individuals displaying symptoms indicative of CSM in Nafada Local Government Area (LGA). We responded swiftly by activating an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), comprising WHO, UNICEF, and NCDC, to address suspected CSM cases and assess the possibility of Lassa fever. We are now at Alert Threshold in Nafada and Funakaye LGAs.”
Furthermore, the directives issued by the EOC involve extensive engagement with local communities, religious leaders, and healthcare professionals to raise awareness about CSM, free distribution of essential medications, and comprehensive case searches across affected areas.
