DUTSE, North-West, Nigeria – Over 40 children have been reported dead due to an outbreak of a disease suspected to be Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM), in Majia town in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa state.
Investigation by Daily News Precise at Majia town revealed that the victims started with complaints of fever and numbness in their legs.
Ali Sunusi is a father of 3 year-old Khadija who died few days ago from the ailment. The grieving father told our reporter that he did all he could to save his only daughter when she started feeling feverish.
He said in his desperate attempt he earlier went to a patent medicine store and was given some drugs only for the illness to aggravate at night.
He added thay despite all attempts to get the attention of the medical personnel stationed in the area to come to his rescue failed as they told him to take little Khadija to Taura General Hospital, a distance of about 30 kilometres giving excuses of not having sufficient drugs to deal with the situation.
Another grieving father, Mallam Ya’u Salisu who also lost his 12 year-old daughter; Ummu Kulsum said he took her to a chemist for treatment during the day when she complained of severe heaadache.
According to Mallam Salisu, she was relieved at that time only to start stooling later at night. “We had to rush her back to the chemist who administered a drip on her only for her to give up the ghost,” he lamented.
Similarly, Mallam Usman told our reporter that his 11 year-old son was rescued from the clutches of death after he was admitted at the Taura General Hospital, but sadly he said his son is now deaf.
He said his son, Ya’u Usman who is now in Primary four has recovered from the ailment but could no longer hear.
When our reporter visited Taura General Hospital about 50 children are on admission due to the outbreak.