A cholera epidemic has been reported in Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Kawo, Kaduna State, with about 39 students reportedly hospitalised, at the Kawo General Hospital, while 89 other students are under watch.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Jafaru Sani, on Monday confirmed the outbreak at the GGSS Kawo, while addressing the press.
Health official have been deployed to the school to manage the situation.
A Deputy Director, Disease Control Centre, Ibrahim Suleiman, told newsmen that he can only confirm 39, who have been moved to the hospital.
He said: “We have 39 cases on admission due to diarrhoea. We are yet to confirm the real cause, but there is a lot of contamination around the water source the students are using, which may be a serious contributory factor.
“Apart from these 39 students on admission, we are also investigating another 89 cases.”
Mr Sani said, “We received a report early this morning of a suspected outbreak of Cholera. The Ministry of Education promptly contacted the Ministry of Health and Human Services who responded by sending a team of medical personnel to bring immediate intervention to them (students)."
“As it is now, we are told in the morning, 55 of the students were affected and now about 39 of them admitted at the General Hospital, Kawo. Fifteen have been discharged and are on their way to their various homes for further treatment,” he said.
He also explained the possible cause of the outbreak as the absence of functional treated borehole for provision of potable water.
The commissioner said despite the incident, the school will not be closed.
