The Kaduna State Government has?advised residents to report any incident
of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the state.
The?government gave the advice when?it announced a five-point prevention strategy against the outbreak of the?disease.
Dr Paul Dogo, the state Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that residents were being sensitised through public enlightenment on the preventive measures.
Dogo disclosed that adequate medical and health personnel including?drugs and vaccines, had been mobilised to control, treat and manage the disease wherever an outbreak was reported.
He advised residents to report any suspicious outbreak of communicable diseases to the nearest health facility to prevent?an epidemic.
Dogo?appealed to residents to ensure that they kept their environment clean and stay in well ventilated rooms to avoid contracting the disease.
“The state government will successfully tackle the spread of CSM in the state because of the proactive measures evolved by the political leaders and the experts in the field. ’’
Dogo?expressed the view that the anticipated early rains this year could also bring relief to residents as the hot season that caused?CSM would disappear.
He solicited for the support of the people, most especially traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and NGOs, to keep off CSM from the state.
He said?public enlightenment campaigns through traditional institutions, faith based groups, media and the civil society would be intensified to ensure success of the programme.
According to him, the state rapid response team will be on stand-by to handle reported cases of meningitis before it reached an alarming stage.
“The most scaring hot months of March and April would soon be over without lost of lives in our state this year.’’
He?said?the team successfully treated?2,100 cases in 15 local government areas?in 2011.
The cases were recorded in Kaduna North, Giwa, Igabi, Kudan, Birnin Gwari, Kagarko, Kubau, Kauru, Ikara, Jema’a, Lere, Makarfi, Sanga, Kajuru and Chikun?areas.
Seventeen?lives were lost to?CSM?in?the areas?between January?and April 2011. (NAN)