The Yobe State government reported that 85 people have died from Cerebrospinal Meningitis in the state, while 2,510 individuals have recovered from the disease between January 2023 and April 2024.
While speaking to journalists in Damaturu, the Commissioner for Health in Yobe State, Dr. Lawan Gana, denied social media claims that 200 people had died from the disease in the Potiskum and Nangere local government areas of the state.
“On the Cerebrospinal Meningitis, so far 85 persons have died while 2,510 recovered from the disease. I am assuring you that, the government was able to manage the cases, but we want the federal government to donate more vaccinations to tackle disease outbreaks in the state” he said.
He explained that a thorough investigation was carried out with epidemiologists and the State Primary Healthcare centres, to authenticate the purported report but it was found to be false.
“The Ministry of Health before we come out to disputes, we normally do our diligence to ensure we give out the facts. Having received that report, we mandated the State Epidemiologists, supervised by the Director of Public Health they first to contact the local government health teams of the said local government areas, but found out that there was no issue of such nature” he said.
According to Lawan, the hot weather is a factor in the spread of diseases. He advised the public to sleep in well-ventilated areas and to promptly report any suspicious symptoms to health facilities.