No fewer than seven children have died, while three others are receiving intensive care as meningitis outbreak hits schools across Yobe State.
Governor Mai Buni has assured children in primary and secondary schools in the affected areas of Potiskum and Fika local government areas of better care.
The permanent secretary of the ministry of health, Isa Bukar, said 214 cases were recorded, with seven deaths and the three in the ICU responding to treatment.
The head of epidemiology, Dr. Mohd Isa, said most of the dead people did not reach the health centres on time.
The governor was briefed by the commissioner for basic and secondary education, Dr. Mohammad Sani Idris, on the situation on the ground.
It was learned that an outbreak of meningitis has affected Government Secondary School (GSS), Fika; Government Science and Technical College (GSTC); Government Girls Science School (GGST) in Potiskum town; and GGSTC Gadaka town in Fika local government area.
The governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Hon. Idi Gubana, during a visit to one of the schools, said the recent outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in some communities in Zone B required urgent attention.
As part of efforts geared towards containing the outbreak, the government has provided emergency treatment and vaccines and deployed rapid response teams to all affected areas.
Buni called on health officials to prevent the disease from spreading to other schools and communities and to report any new developments to the nearest facilities.
The governor commended the rapid response of the ministries of health and education, local government chairmen in the zone, and WHO for containing the scourge.
Briefing the governor at the General Hospital, Potiskum, the deputy chief medical director, Dr. Abubakar Zakari, said meningitis is an acute inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord, describing it as a very serious infection.
He called for the construction of more rooms in the isolated camps to accommodate the victims of the outbreak.
