Alert! Suspected case of polio discovered in Kano

Not less than three weeks after the discovery of three new polio cases in Borno State, there is growing concern and anxiety among residents of Takai and Tofa Local Government areas of Kano State over the disease.

This development followed the discovery of what health officials described as “compatible polio” cases in each of the council areas. The officials made the discovery during polio immunisation in the state.

During a routine visit by members of Journalists for Health to the affected councils in the state, it was learnt that the suspected compatible polio cases were discovered during the April round of Immunisation Plus Days.

Based on the report, the authorities, it was learnt, swiftly swung into action to conduct the mandatory medical analysis to establish the status of the suspected cases.

While the case in Takai LGA was confirmed negative, it was learnt that the symptoms of the compatible polio case at Gajida settlement in Tofa LGA had the possibility of being positive, but unfortunately, the test was inconclusive when the victim passed on.

However, a nephew of the victim, who resides with the boy prior to his death, Mallam Muazu Gajida, confirmed the incident to JFH, describing it as unfortunate.

The Zonal Coordinator, representing the State Ministry of Health in Tofa Local Government Area, Hajiya Aisha Hassan, confirmed that when officials took a blood sample of one of the victims, it showed symptoms of polio meningitis, but unfortunately, on their way back to conduct a second blood test, the boy was confirmed dead.

The development had since generated fear and anxiety among the residents of the area, considering the fact that the boy had mingled with many of his age mates, prior to his ill-health and eventual death.

However, the development stimulated the willingness of the parents to present their children for immunisation.

When contacted via telephone, the State Director of Emergency Operation Centre under the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Imam Wada Bello, however, allayed the fear of fresh polio case in the entire state, pointing out that the routine test had been conducted on the two compatible cases and the results were negative.