23 dead as stomach flu outbreak hits 13 LGAs in Sokoto

Ali Inname, Sokoto state commissioner for health, says 23 people have died of gastroenteritis in the state.

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is an intestinal infection marked by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

It is spread by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.

Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday, Inname said 265 people have been infected with the disease across 13 LGAs.

He listed the affected LGAs as Rabah, Wurno, Dange Shuni, Kebbe, Gwadabawa, Tangaza, Isa, Bodinga, Wamakko, Silame, Illela, Sabon Birni and Yabo, adding that Gwadawaba was the worst hit.

“It is important for the public to know that the disease is highly contagious, meaning it can be easily transmitted from person to person through casual contacts,” he said.

“Others are drinking contaminated foods or water, contaminated clothes, surfaces, beds, bedsheets, vomit and faeces.”

The commissioner noted that investigation revealed that the disease escalated because of the rainy season and sources of drinking water comprising open wells and others had been contaminated.

According to him, open defecation and other poor sanitary challenges have also contributed to the spread of the disease.

He said two teams were established on case management comprising medical doctors that would go round for spot assessment and treatment in affected areas.

He added that a team of environmental health officers had also been directed to begin sensitisation in communities, on preventive measures toward containing the situation.

According to the commissioner, a rapid response team was reactivated across the state, while drugs and provisions have been distributed.

The commissioner advised people to boil their drinking water, cover open wells, report any case to nearby health centres and avoid home treatments.

Inname also appealed to residents to restrict visitations to infection-prone areas.

The state is also currently battling a cholera outbreak where 86 fatalities have been recorded.