Severe fever ravages Kano again

A severe fever has, again, ravaged various communities in Kano, one year after similar ailment wrecked havoc on many residents in the state, Kano Chronicle, observed. Kano Chronicle findings revealed that, the fever started its attack late July, through August to September and that most of its victims were diagnosed with malaria, typhoid or even […]

A severe fever has, again, ravaged various communities in Kano, one year after similar ailment wrecked havoc on many residents in the state, Kano Chronicle, observed.

Kano Chronicle findings revealed that, the fever started its attack late July, through August to September and that most of its victims were diagnosed with malaria, typhoid or even both.

Similarly,  some of the affected people resorted to herbal medication as the fever defies various conventional medications, our reporters, observed.

Further observation revealed that the severe fever is not spearing anybody as it affects men, women and children with some experiencing it again and again.

It is also a common sight in the state metropolis, to see queues of sick persons at patent medicine stores popularly known as chemists.

Some residents, who spoke with Kano Chronicle, expressed their fears that if care is not taken, the severe fever would become an annual tragedy in the state. They appealed to the government to put in place adequate preventive measures to forestall future occurrence of the pandemic.

Sanusi Yunusa Abubakar, 45, a resident of Hotoro quarters said, “I woke up on one Friday morning with a body pain which I thought was normal due to daily stress. Later in the afternoon I started feeling headache and later my body temperature rose. I took paracetamol before seeing my doctor. After I was diagnosed, it was found to be malaria and I was prescribed some pills for treatment.

“My experience with malaria was terrible due to the pains it comes with. Within two months I experienced malaria four times. The last time I had the attack; it started with stomach ache and some symptoms of feverishness.”

Another victim of the sickness also from Hotoro, Maryam Musa, said the situation was serious and that government should take necessary actions to address it, saying “recently I was down twice as a result of the severe malaria attack. The last time I had similar experience was 6-7 years ago.

“The symptoms of the attack were very clear but I ignored them. It started with persistent headache and I felt cold at nights, this went on for days then I took it serious and treated myself.

“And, a week after finishing my dose, I started having headaches and cold again, this time, I didn’t wait for my health to deteriorate. I immediately got medications and within 3-4 days I was fine, I’ve learnt to take precautions.”

Aishat Sanusi, a resident of Hausawa quarters was also affected by the fever. She told our reporters that, “I have been suffering from this fever for the past two weeks and it increase day by day. On the first day, I noticed that I lost my appetite followed by serious headache, abdominal pain, cold shivering and my body temperature also risen. When I visited doctor, I was diagnosed with typhoid fever.”

According to a proprietor of a patent medicine store in Tinshama of Nassarawa local government area, Malam Yahuza Danbaba, the fever had become an annual tragedy in Kano, adding that owners of patent medicine stores were making a brisk business anytime the fever hit the state.

“This fever is becoming an annual incident in the state. Although there is a decrease in the number of people being attacked by the malaria this year compared to last year, we still make good business. However, the authorities need to do something to address the situation.

“Treatment of the fever depends on the nature of the attack and what one can afford. The good thing is that, the fever isn’t resistant to treatment,” he said

Danbaba said full treatment of the fever was between N800 to N4500 and it was usually through injections, tablets and drips. 

He, however, said “this year’s fever attack is less severe when compared to that of last year, on average we treat not less than 20 patients in a day.” 

Alhaji Ali Ibrahim, a resident of Tinshama attributed the fever attack to the lackadaisical attitude of some people in the upkeep of their environment and for refusal to sleep under treated-mosquito nets.

He said, “It is unfortunate that many people in the state are not sleeping under the mosquito nets that are being distributed to residents in the state by the government and other non-governmental bodies.”

Commenting on the ravaging fever, Dr Sunday Adeyemi said the danger with typhoid is that the symptoms are quite insidious, not specific and mimic other infectious diseases.

Dr Adeyemi added that “The symptoms of malaria and typhoid fever included fever, headache, abdominal pain, cold and loss of appetite among others.”