- At least five people have died in Diginsa Ward, Jigawa State, due to a waterborne disease outbreak that quickly spread across villages
- The state government has deployed medical personnel, set up an isolation ward, and pledged support for flood victims in the region
A waterborne disease outbreak has resulted in the deaths of at least five people in Diginsa Ward, Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The outbreak, which initially surfaced in Mara village, quickly spread to nearby communities, including Fulani Sallah and Madanna.
Residents reported that the disease began spreading a few weeks ago, and the delayed response contributed to the tragic loss of lives. Hamza Audu, a resident of Fulani Dallah, expressed deep concern over the rapid spread of the illness in the region.
In response to the outbreak, the Jigawa State Ministry of Health has deployed a team of medical personnel to the affected areas to contain the disease and prevent further fatalities. Speaking anonymously, an official from the ministry disclosed that an isolation ward had been set up at the Birniwa General Hospital to treat those affected.
Efforts to contact the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Kainuwa, were unsuccessful.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu extended his condolences to the people of Jigawa, who have also been severely impacted by recent flooding. The floods have claimed over 33 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 residents. The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, represented the president, visited the affected areas and pledged the federal government’s support. He assured residents that measures are being implemented to prevent future occurrences.
Abubakar, the immediate past governor of Jigawa State, personally donated N20 million to assist the flood victims. Governor Umar Namadi expressed his gratitude for the minister’s visit and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ongoing disaster relief efforts and support for those affected by the floods.