Gastroenteritis Disease Kills 25 People In Sokoto

The Sokoto State Director, Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Dr Abdulganiyu Yusuf, has confirmed that an outbreak of Gastroenteritis has claimed 25 lives in 18 LGAs of Sokoto State.
Dr Yusuf who disclosed this in Sokoto said most of the deaths were recorded at home before the patients were taken to the hospital.

“Out of the 1,160 reported cases, only 15 proved to be cholera.
“The deaths were recorded in 18, not three local government areas as reported by the newspapers.

“It was recorded from January to date, meaning in 11 months as a result of gastroenteritis, not cholera because there is a difference between the two.
“When somebody is vomiting and purging, you cannot conclude it is cholera. You have to take some sample and test it to confirm whether it is cholera or not.
“And some of the cases were even confirmed to be malaria.
“But we are on top of the situation as the state government purchased and distributed drugs to the affected local government areas,” he said.
Also commenting, Commissioners for Health in the state, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, said rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas manage the situation and curtail its spread.