The Yobe State Ministry of Health and Human Services has said seven people died following the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Potiskum town in the state.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Isa Bukar, disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing the State Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, who visited the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum.
He said so far, 214 cases of the disease have been recorded in the area, including some public boarding schools.
According to him, three other victims are currently at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit receiving medical attention.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the State Deputy Governor, Hussaini Mai Suleh, indicated that the deputy governor tasked health officials in the area to ensure that the disease is prevented from further spreading to other schools and communities.
He commended the Ministries of Health and Human Services, Basic and Secondary Education, World Health Organization, and Potiskum local government for their rapid response.
Meanwhile, as part of measures following the outbreak of meningitis in some public boarding schools within Potiskum, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idriss, has announced the temporary relocation of the ministry to Potiskum to investigate the cause of the outbreak as well as monitor schools.
The commissioner made the announcement when he led a team to some of the affected boarding schools under investigation.
