Outbreak of gastroenteritis has been recorded in four local government areas of Kebbi, state officials said. The disease was caused by recent flooding which contaminated water sources in the state.

Gastroentritis, otherwise known as stomach flu, is an intestinal infection caused by contaminated food or water and typically spread by contact with an infected person. Symptoms include diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

The state’s community health director Muhammad-Abdullahi Bubuce on Saturday said 328 people were affected. He claims the health ministry had taken measures to arrest the situation, in order to curb further spread of the disease.

“From the reports we received so far, 328 persons have been infected with the disease but the worst hit areas are; Kalgo, Sakaba, Maiyama and Suru Local Government Areas,” Mr. Bubuce said. “For now, we have enough medicine in stock to take care of patients especially those whose sickness has not deteriorated”

The official enjoined residents “to prioritise personal and environmental hygiene” and desist from open defecation.

“Once we do not provide toilets in our houses, our environment will continue to contaminate, hence the need to adhere to this advice,” Mr. Bubuce said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered some of the victims had died, but the director declined to give figures.

Some of the victims who recovered said they were forced to use the contaminated water for their daily activities because they had no alternative source to clean water.

Kebbi floods had rendered many people homeless, destroyed farm produce and contaminated potable water sources.