The Kaduna government says the 15 hospitalised students as a result of the recent diarrhoea outbreak at the Government Girls Senior and Junior Secondary School, Kawo, have fully recovered, been discharged and resumed school.

The health commissioner, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, announced this on Monday in Kaduna.

“On June 30, the ministry received reports of multiple students presenting with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. In swift response, the State Rapid Response Team (RRT), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health partners, was deployed to investigate and contain the outbreak.

“An investigation conducted by the Kaduna State Rapid Response Team, led by the state epidemiologist, Jeremiah Diako, revealed that 81 students were affected. The affected students were between the ages of 16 and 17,” she said.

She said the 15 students who required admission at General Hospital Kawo have fully recovered and have since been discharged.

”No fatalities were recorded. The situation has been successfully contained, and the students have continued normal activities under close monitoring,” Ms Kaltum-Ahmed said.

The commissioner recommended preventive measures for schools and the public to prevent future occurrences, which included hand washing, the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, safe drinking water, and food safety.

”All schools, communities, and the general public are to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.

”They have been directed to install handwashing stations in schools and public areas and avoid food handling while symptomatic and use alcohol-based hand sanitisers (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are unavailable.

”Students or staff with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay home until at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve,” Ms Kaltum-Ahmed said.

She added that residents should ensure their drinking water is boiled, chlorinated, or treated properly.

Ms Kaltum-Ahmed advocated for all schools and residents always to start environmental sanitation programmes and to cook food thoroughly, especially meats, eggs, and vegetables.

“Keep school kitchens, toilets and drainage systems clean and functional. Dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination and vector breeding.

“Conduct regular health talks in schools and communities, and train food handlers on personal hygiene and safe food preparation practices,” the health commissioner advised.

Ms Kaltum-Ahmed also called on residents to end open defecation by promoting the use of clean latrines.

The commissioner called on school administrators, community leaders, local health teams, and citizens to collaborate in implementing these preventive measures.

(NAN)