SHAWWAL 11, 1429 A.H.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9 2008
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Gastroenteritis claims 21 lives
An outbreak of gastroenteritis in some villages of Balanga, Yamaltu-Deba and Kaltungo Local Government Areas of Gombe state has claimed 21 lives, says a top official.
The commissioner for health, Dr. Muhammad Isa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe yesterday that the epidemic had affected 346 persons in the last three weeks.
He, however, said the situation had been brought under control by health officials dispatched to the areas with drugs and chemicals.
Isa said the poor sanitary condition of most households in the areas had led to the frequent cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.
The commissioner stated that health officials had so far treated about 100 wells with chemicals in the affected areas to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
He renewed his call on rural dwellers to report in good time, any sign of gastroenteritis in their areas for immediate attention.
