There are fears about an outbreak of a water borne disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Preliminary investigations point to gastroenteritis, a common illness among infants and children.
Experts say gastroenteritis is a condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting and is usually caused by a bacterial or viral tummy bug. Cases in adults are usually caused by norovirus or bacterial food poisoning.
There are public health concerns as about nine children died of a related ailment at a ghetto called Angwan Hausawa, at the outskirts of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
A total of 30 children are reported hospitalized at a nearby Damagaza village. Officials of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board confirmed the development to The Guardian.
Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said investigations were still on, but pointed to a water borne ailment. The World Health OrganiSation (WHO) officials are said to have been mobilized.
But it was confirmed that the affected community is a slum and the children affected have been drinking from and playing at a nearby stream.