by Azeez Adeniyi

The Cross River State government on Wednesday confirmed the death of a 12-year-old boy following an outbreak of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, who disclosed this in Calabar, said 23 other persons have been infected.

Asibong said the deceased, Paul Ogar was brought to Calabar from Ogoja Local Government Area.

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She said most of the infected persons were already treated and discharged from the hospital.

The commissoner added that the state was doing its best to curb a further outbreak.

The commissioner said, “Before now, we have actually been having sporadic cases of CSM, but it has been on the increase this year and this is not normal for Cross River.

“We have set our state team in motion and the epidemiology department is currently on top of the situation, carrying out surveillance in all quarters.

“Another notable thing is that these cases were mainly recorded in Ogoja and Yala local government areas of the state.

“We are working with the federal ministry of health to ensure that we curb this outbreak and hoping that we get the vaccination for the symptoms.”

She urged residents to avoid overcrowded places and direct contact with people coughing or sneezing.

“People living in overcrowded conditions, poorly ventilated houses and generally poor sanitary conditions are very vulnerable to respiratory infections, and this encourages the growth and survival of the bacteria.

“Incubation period for CSM vary from two to 10 days, with symptoms such as but not limited to stiff neck, high fever, headache, vomiting, and confusion.

“Early treatment can help prevent serious long-term consequences such as deafness, blindness, epileptic seizures and brain damage,” Asibong explained.