The Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, has confirmed cases of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, commonly known as Apollo, amid growing concerns about its spread across the town.
The hospital called on residents to maintain proper personal and environmental hygiene and adhere to preventive measures aimed at curbing the infection.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Dr Abubakar Sadiq Zakari, who represented the Medical Director, disclosed that the facility had attended to several cases.
He, however, noted that the number might be higher because some infected residents could avoid seeking medical care and instead resort to self-treatment at home.
Zakari advised residents to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their eyes and stop sharing towels, clothes, bedding, utensils and other personal belongings.
He further urged infected persons to reduce close interaction with others and seek medical attention once symptoms begin to appear.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said the ministry had activated measures to control the spread of the infection.
He explained that key messages had been prepared and circulated among stakeholders and on social media, while Health Promotion Officers had been instructed to sensitise communities through Village Community Mobilisers.
According to media reports, residents across different areas of Potiskum had reported rising cases of red or swollen eyes, itching, pain and watery discharge.
Some residents disclosed that several people within the same families had contracted the infection, heightening fears of rapid transmission.
A resident, Haladu Badejo, described the development as alarming, saying the disease was spreading at a fast rate.
Another resident, Idris Bello Danchuawa, said: “Subhanallahi! Apollo Disease (Ciwon Ido) is still spreading in Potiskum.”
A patient, Abubakar Suleiman, said the infection had emerged as a major concern among residents of the town.
“This Apollo eye infection has become like an epidemic in Potiskum. We have not seen an illness spreading like this for a long time. It is difficult to visit two houses without finding someone infected with the disease,” he said.
Suleiman said the infection resulted in intense redness and pain, adding that some patients recovered after taking eye drops and oral medication.
Another patient, Kasim Muhammad Isah, said the outbreak had compelled many residents to wear glasses as they tried to protect themselves.
“There is no doubt that the people of Potiskum are facing this Apollo epidemic. Almost every household is affected,” he said.
Isah appealed to the government to implement immediate measures to bring the situation under control.
Also, a resident, Alhaji Abdurrahman Santurankin Yandiski, urged authorities to intensify public awareness, health education and preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board urged residents to wash their hands frequently with soap and clean water and avoid touching their eyes or sharing towels, handkerchiefs, eye drops and eyeglasses.
The board cautioned residents against applying substances such as urine, breast milk, sugar solution, cow dung or battery liquid to the eyes, warning that such practices could result in permanent damage or blindness.
A medical doctor, Dr Maryam Ahmed Mustapha, said Apollo was highly infectious and could be transmitted through close contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces.
She also rejected the belief that staring into the eyes of an infected person could transmit the disease, advising residents to practise proper hand hygiene and seek medical care when symptoms appear.
