An outbreak of gastroenteritis has struck Kirikasamma and its surrounding areas, leaving seven people dead and others hospitalised.

The outbreak, which was confirmed by the Primary Healthcare Coordinator of Kirikasamma Local Government Area, Musa Abdullahi Diladige, has affected several communities including Malori, Maikintari, Dilmari, Kirikasamma, and parts of Baturiya village.

According to Diladige, the symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

The Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Muhammad Maisamari, stated that a team of health personnel had been dispatched to the affected areas to provide necessary medical services.

The local government council has also purchased drugs and other related medicines for urgent curative measures in the affected areas.

The Director of Administration and General Services, Idris Gambo Abubakar, pledged to provide all necessary assistance to tackle the spread of the disease.

The outbreak is believed to have been triggered by the recent torrential rainfall in the area, which has led to the dilapidation of buildings and contamination of water sources.

Residents of the affected areas have been advised to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, including proper hygiene practices and avoiding contaminated food and water.

The situation is being closely monitored by health authorities, and efforts are being made to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.

Efforts to get comments from the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Kanuwa, were unsuccessful as he did not pick our correspondent’s calls or respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)