{
  "id": 1861745,
  "title": "Nigeria: Apollo Cases Confirmed in Yobe As Residents Raise Alarm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/nigeria-apollo-cases-confirmed-in-yobe-as-residents-raise-alarm",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T03:53:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica Health",
    "slug": "allafrica-health",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608190069.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Yobe State Specialist Hospital in Potiskum has confirmed cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, or Apollo, sparking alarm among residents. Medical officials are urging the public to maintain high hygiene standards and observe preventive measures to curb the spread of the infection. Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Zakari, a member of the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee, stated that the hospital has recorded numerous cases, though some individuals may not have sought medical help, leading to a potentially higher actual number. Zakari recommended regular hand washing, avoiding eye contact, and refraining from sharing personal items like towels, clothes, and bedding. He also advised infected individuals to limit close contact with others and seek medical attention when symptoms arise. The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, noted that the ministry has implemented containment measures, including developing key messages and sharing them via social media. Health Promotion Officers are being directed to educate communities through Village Community Mobilisers. Local reports indicate a surge in cases of red or swollen eyes, itching, pain, and watery discharge in Potiskum. Some residents have reported entire families affected, causing concerns about the rapid transmission of the disease. Residents described the situation as alarming, with the infection spreading so quickly that it resembles an epidemic. Patients have reported severe redness and pain, and some have sought relief through eye drops and oral medication. The outbreak has led many residents to wear glasses to protect themselves. A resident called for increased public awareness, health guidance, and preventive measures. The Yobe State Primary Health Care Board advised residents to wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their eyes or sharing personal items, and warned against using substances like urine or sugar solution in their eyes, as they could cause permanent damage or blindness. Medical experts emphasized that Apollo is highly contagious and can spread through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, dismissing the notion that merely looking into an infected person's eyes could lead to the disease.",
  "summary": "[Daily Trust] The Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, has confirmed cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apollo, amid concerns over its spread in the town.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}