Following the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Potiskum town, Yobe State Ministry of Health and Human Services announced that seven individuals have lost their lives.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Isa Bukar, revealed this information during a briefing for the State Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, who recently visited the State Specialist Hospital in Potiskum.
As of now, the region has recorded a total of 214 meningitis cases, including incidences in public boarding schools.
Isa Bukar mentioned that three other patients are currently under intensive care at the hospital.
A statement by Hussaini Mai Suleh, the Press Secretary to the State Deputy Governor, emphasized the importance of preventing the further spread of the disease to other schools and communities, urging health officials to take necessary precautions.
The swift response of the Ministries of Health and Human Services, Basic and Secondary Education, World Health Organization, and Potiskum local government was praised by the deputy governor.
As part of the measures taken in response to the meningitis outbreak in public boarding schools in Potiskum, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idriss, announced the temporary relocation of the ministry to Potiskum for further investigation into the cause of the outbreak and monitoring of schools.
Dr Muhammad Sani Idriss made this announcement while leading a team to investigate some of the affected boarding schools.