By Ibrahim Abdullahi
Attention of Kano state Ministry of Health has been drawn to a published story by a northern Daily of a which ‘strange disease’ that killed 45 people in Gundutse, Kura LGA.
In a swift reaction to douse tension and anxiety on the matter the ministry, its head of public relations unit, Ibrahim Abdullahi, regretted how the story was twisted to achievie personal gains as the journalist had earlier paid a visit to the outfit on the issue and briefed that there was nothing as such across Kano.
It explained that State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (SDSNO) was phoned to shed light on the issue so as to separate grains from the chaff.
The statement added that it was at that juncture that it realised that was severe malaria and typhoid.
But surprisingly the journalist,concocted such unfounded and baseless item to serve his ill intention.
The release revealed that in an email the Epidemiology Unit of the ministry sent to the relevant MDAs and stakeholder captioned Response to Report on Life Threatening Conditions among Children in Gainawa ‘A’ Gundutse, stated that following the recent reports of life-threatening conditions among children in the community, a team has been raised, in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC), Kura LGA had conducted a thorough investigation as quick intervention to arrest the situation on time.
The unit added that the finding revealed alarming environmental health challenges exacerbating the health risks faced by the community where thirteen cases and five deaths were recorded, starting from last march.
It maintained that the delay in attending the nearby health facility by the people of the area aggravated the case, hence leads to morbidity and mortality in many communities.
It reads that, “The symptoms of severe fever and headache among children in the community have been recurrent over the stated period noting that Clinical assessments have confirmed cases of malaria and typhoid which indicated urgent need for intervention to prevent further spread and fatalities.
“The primary water source in the community, a borehole, is at risk of contaminating the sanitation practices, overcrowding and breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These factors contributed to the proliferation of disease vectors and deterioration of public health.
“Actions taken during response include advocacy visit, active case search, sample collection for viral haemorrhagic fever and Lassa fever and all proved negative, provision of free drugs and consumables for case management and environmental chlorination, provision of adequate staff for early detection, response and referral to general hospital, surveillance intensification and risk communication and community engagement.
“We recommend for sample collection and analysis of water source, chlorination of water sources, environmental sanitation and hygiene activities and collaborative efforts amongst relevant MDAs are earnestly needed to mitigate the occurrence of the disease and break the chain of transmission.
“In light of the urgency of the situation, we urged the Ministries of Environment and Water Resources to provide immediate support and resources to address the environmental health challenges highlighted above.
“Swift intervention is crucial to safeguarding the wellbeing of the community particularly the vulnerable who were at risk of life-threatening illnesses.”
