4th meningitis case hits Delta
Delta has reported the fourth infection of cerebrospinal meningitis but stepped back from terming it an outbreak after tests showed one infection was pneumonia. The fourth case was reported at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where two cases were reported previously. One case has been also reported at Central Hospital, Warri. Two of the cases are […]
Delta has reported the fourth infection of cerebrospinal meningitis but stepped back from terming it an outbreak after tests showed one infection was pneumonia.
The fourth case was reported at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where two cases were reported previously.
One case has been also reported at Central Hospital, Warri.
Two of the cases are yet to be confirmed because of complications in the patients, Delta health commissioner Dr Nicholas Azinge, said on Thursday in Asaba.
"The case in Warri was confirmed to have been caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, the organism hardly associated with outbreaks,” he said.
"The unconfirmed cases in Asaba and the case in Warri responded satisfactorily to treatment and have been discharged and gone home. Currently there are two cases being managed at FMC, Asaba.”
Furthermore he stressed that all the 25 councils’ Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) have been directed to intensify awareness creation on prevention and to heighten surveillance and reporting to guide policy decisions.
Besides, he said that arrangements have been concluded with the Paediatrics Departments of Central Hospital Warri, Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) Oghara, and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba to send experienced medical doctors to carryout lumbar puncture and collect CSF samples for suspected cases of CSM and to update the skills of medical officers in various hospitals in this regard.
According to him, all the DSNO have been directed that once they identify a suspected case of CSM the case should be referred to the nearest Central Hospital or General Hospital where samples can be collected immediately and free treatment commenced.
"The general public is being sensitised through the various media on the signs, symptoms and preventive measures of CSM. Health workers are currently being sensitised on CSM. · The LGA DSNOs have commenced Active Case search and border patrols in their various LGAs in the State. · Collaboration has been on-going with DELSUTH, Hospitals Management Board (HMB), FMC Asaba, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant Professional Associations as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
"I wish to state clearly that there is no outbreak of CSM in Delta State. The general public should remain calm as the disease -Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) – is both preventable and curable", he added.