3 confirmed dead in diarrhea outbreak in Kebbi

Three people have been confirmed dead following outbreak of diarrhea in Kardi area of Birnin Kebbi.

Unconfirmed reports had put the dead figure at over 40 but the Community Health Officer in charge of the Primary Health Care at the village, Abdulkarim Abubakar, said they had only recorded three deaths from the 160 patients admitted there.

He said five people whose cases were serious had been referred to Sir Yahaya Specialist Hospital in Birnin Kebbi while 147 others have been discharged from the PHC after they were treated.

During his visit to the affected areas in Kardi, the Vice Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government, Alhaji Usman Ibrahim delivered drugs worth N350,000 to the PHC where the patients are currently receiving treatment.

He said, “We felt sad over the deaths so far recorded. We brought these drugs for your treatment. It is free of charge,” he said.

He called on people in the affected area to avoid self-medication and maintain clean environment. He said Gwadangaji area which was also affected would also receive medical assistance from the local government.

In his remarks, the Director of Health in the local government, Nura Hassan urged people in the area to keep their surroundings clean. He advised them to construct a local latrine and stop defecating everywhere in the environment.