The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Saka Audu, on Sunday
said that the alleged unknown disease has been diagnosed to be
gastroenteritis.
He, therefore, called for calmness.
The commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja that those
so far diagnosed were found to be suffering from gastroenteritis and
malaria.
The state Ministry of Health, had in a statement, said that the
disease killed many people in Okunran, Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa in Yagba
West Local Government Area.
“The current information available to us is that the disease actually
started six weeks ago in Okoloke village in Yagba West, which is a
settlement that is predominantly inhabited by Fulani herdsmen.
“There have been cases of reported deaths following abdominal pain,
vomiting and diarrhoea, but the patients who showed signs of illness had
since been evacuated and transported to Kogi State Specialist Hospital
Lokoja, for better treatment.
“So far, we have evacuated 39 patients from Okoloke area and only six
of them were admitted and have shown significant sign of improvement
while others have since been discharged.
“Out of the six that were admitted, three of them were diagnosed of
gastroenteritis and the remaining three were just cases of malaria, and
they have shown remarkable signs of improvement,” Audu said.
He also stressed that the disease was not Lassa fever, saying the
result of samples taken from the patients to Irua General Hospital in
Edo State for investigation proved negative.
On the 62 persons earlier reported to have died, the commissioner
said the figure was given by local leaders in the affected areas and was
yet to be verified by government.
“We will investigate and trace the dead people to the grave yard and come up with the correct figure.
“We want to assure the general public that government is doing all
that is humanly possible to stay on top of the situation and forestall
further loss of lives.
“We will continue to inform the public as the investigation progresses,” Mr. Audu said.
(NAN)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hey also feel free to read and be part of our updates