The Bauchi government has approved N15 million to enhance preparedness against the outbreak of gastroenteritis. 

The government said it had embarked on comprehensive campaigns on prevention, treatment and other related strategies to avert an outbreak of gastroenteritis and safeguard public health.

“With the outbreak of gastroenteritis in neighbouring states, the agency and its implementing partners have developed plans and strategies to handle such diseases,” the chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Rilwanu Mohammed, said on Monday. “We have enough consumables, drugs and also isolation centres are ready, but we do not have any outbreak in the state.”

In collaboration with implementing partners, he added that the agency held a stakeholders’ engagement exercise to map out strategies to stem the spread of the disease.

According to Mr Mohammed, the agency is conducting sensitisation activities under its health education programmes across health facilities and communities to create awareness of diseases and routine immunisation.

Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

The disease is caused by viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, chemicals, and drugs, among others.

(NAN)