TheCable

The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHDA) says gastroenteritis infection has killed 28 persons in the state.

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

It can be spread through contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water.

Rilwanu Mohammed, chairman of BSPHDA, told NAN that the infection has spread from nine to 13 LGAs — with 732 cases recorded from May 25 as of Thursday.

He said the LGAs are Bauchi, Darazo, Dass, Giade, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Misau, Ningi, Shira, Tafawa Balewa, Warji, Toro and Zaki.

He said Bauchi and Toro LGAs had recorded the highest number of cases with 507 and 73, respectively.

“About 732 cases and 28 deaths were recorded across the 13 LGAs of  the state,” he said.

“Bauchi LGA and Toro LGA have recorded high numbers with 78.6 per cent.

“Case fatality is 3.8 per cent, 56 per cent are male and 44 per cent female.”

He said out of the cases, 21 samples of gastroenteritis were confirmed to be positive of vibrio cholera.

The chairman said the state had embarked on chlorination of wells in affected communities.

He said drugs and other medical consumables had been deployed in all general hospitals in the state.

The chairman also said the response is supported by various line ministries, departments and agencies.

Mohammed acknowledged the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

Recently, Aliyu Maigoro, the state commissioner for health, said a cholera outbreak had claimed the lives of 20 persons in the state.

According to him, 322 persons were infected following the outbreak of the disease in nine LGAs of the state.