….govt order closure of schools in Jama’are
From Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI
Bauchi state government has ordered for the closure of schools
over the death of five students of suspected diphtheria disease in Jamaare Local Government Area of the Bauchi State.
The affected schools are only those schools within the communities in Jama’are local government area council of the state.
The development according to the
Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency,(BSPHCDA),Dr Rilwanu Mohammed was to avoid the separation of the disease to other places.
Dr.Rilwanu made the disclosure to journalists at an orientation meeting organized by the State Technical Working group for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine introduction on Wednesday in Bauchi.
According to him, out of 28 samples taken from Jammare, two were confirmed, adding that the agency was determined to act fast to curtail a possible spread of the outbreak.
Dr. Mohammed described the deaths of the students as unfortunate saying laboratory tests would confirm if they died from Diphtheria.
He said vaccination would be given to prevent the disease, “We need to vaccinate children at six weeks and the good news is that the vaccination is free.”
Mohammed further disclosed that all schools in the affected local government area had been closed as a precautionary measure to curtail any possible spread of the disease.
Mohammed said any school in any part of the state where any case of diphtheria is confirmed would be closed down.
He noted that diphtheria is a serious infection but vaccine preventable disease caused by bacteria and the common symptoms are sore throat, difficulty breathing, swollen glands in neck, fever and chill among others.
Dr. Rilwanu, however assured that government is on top of the situation as it has mobilized to curtail it to remain in the affected LGAs while it is doing everything possible to see that it did not spread to the neighbouring LGAs.
