Mysterious disease claims 5 children in Kaduna community
A strange and unidentified disease has swept through Kafanchan, a town in Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, claiming the lives of five young children. The outbreak has left the community in shock and distress.
According to reports, the victims who succumbed to the illness are Zulaihat Abdurrasheed (13), Hussaina Aliyu (13), Maryam Mustapha (3), Aliyu Umar (4), and Abdulshakur Umar (2). As of now, more than ten other children have been admitted to Sir Patrick Yakowa Memorial Hospital in Kafanchan due to the outbreak.
Ezra Joshua, the hospital’s secretary, confirmed the alarming situation and revealed that the hospital had taken samples from the affected individuals to be sent to Kaduna for analysis.
The purpose of the analysis is to determine the nature of the disease and establish the most effective course of treatment.
In response to the outbreak, school authorities in Kafanchan took immediate action to protect their students. All nursery and primary schools in the area were promptly closed, and pupils were sent back home to avoid further spread of the disease after it was reported on Wednesday.
Describing the symptoms, Joshua mentioned that the disease typically manifests with fever, headache, sore throat, and general weakness, primarily affecting children between the ages of 0 and 13 years.
While the exact cause remains unknown, the gravity of the situation has prompted health authorities to prioritize containment and a thorough investigation into its origins.
The hospital secretary also issued a warning to parents, urging them to avoid seeking help from traditional healers or native doctors when faced with symptoms related to the illness. Instead, Joshua stressed the importance of promptly bringing affected children to the hospital for medical attention and isolation.
In light of the outbreak, the Kaduna State government has swiftly intervened through its Ministry of Health. Their rapid response and collaboration with medical professionals have been praised for their efforts to mitigate the impact of the disease on the community.
