23 killed, More Infected With Stomach Flu in Sokoto
Tobiloba Moboluwade
Not more than 23 people have died recently as a result of gastroenteritis also known as the stomach flu in some communities in Sokoto state which is located at the extreme North in Nigeria.
The deaths were confirmed at a briefing on Tuesday by the commissioner for health in Sokoto state.
He disclosed that the outbreak has affected 13 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, adding that over 260 people have been infected with the disease.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacterial toxins or viral infection and marked by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever in an infected person.
It is typically spread by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.
The outbreak which has affected about 13 of the 23 local government in the state,has infected over 260 people. Some of the affected areas are Dange/Shuni,Kebre,Tangasa,Silame, Gwadabawa,and Wamakk.
The commissioner has asked residents to be very careful during this period as the disease like the novel Corona virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted from person to person through casual contact.
He advised them to limit the rate of visitation to affected areas as this has been discovered to be a major source of the spread