No case of meningitis in Cross River – Commissioner
NAN-HG-5
Meningitis
By George Odok
Calabar, April 7, 2017 (NAN) The Cross River Government says the state is free from outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) because of the proactive measures taken.
Dr Inyang Asibong, the state Commissioner for Health, made this known on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
However, Asibong called on residents to take precautionary measures to curb the spread.
She said that the state government was doing its best in conjunction with the Federal Government to curb the spread of the disease.
According to her, CSM is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord (meninges) which is most often caused by the bacteria `Neisseria meningitides’.
“With the recent outbreak of CSM across the country, the Cross River state government is doing its best in line with the federal government to put an end to the spread.
“People living in overcrowded conditions, poorly ventilated houses and generally poor sanitary conditions are very vulnerable to respiratory infections, and this encourages the growth and survival of the bacteria.
“Under certain environmental conditions such as dry weather, dusty winds, high temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night, especially during harmattan season, sporadic outbreaks of CSM can occur.
“Incubation periods for CSM vary from two to 10 days with symptoms such as but not limited to stiff neck, high fever, headache, vomiting and confusion.
“Early treatment can help prevent serious long term consequences such as deafness, blindness, epileptic seizures and brain damage,’’ she said.
The commissioner also advised residents in the state to increase on their personal hygiene especially washing of hands, avoiding overcrowded places and direct contact with people coughing or sneezing.
Besides, she urged the residents to allow adequate ventilation into their houses, adding that anyone who noticed any of the symptoms should seek immediate medical from the hospital.
She assured that the state government through the ministry of health had put in place adequate measures and vaccines to curb any outbreak of communicable diseases in the state.
NAN reports that the epidemic has affected about 3,000 people with more than 239 deaths in Nigeria as at April 6. (NAN)
GNO/DOE/MST
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Muhammad Suleiman Tola