Concern over the spread of the Apollo eye infection has grown in parts of Northern Nigeria, with Bauchi State House of Assembly Speaker, Abubakar Y. Suleiman, disclosing that he has contracted the highly contagious infection as health authorities in neighbouring Yobe State respond to confirmed cases.
Suleiman disclosed his condition in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying he woke up with what is popularly known as “Apollo” and urged residents to take precautions.
“By God’s grace, I woke up today with a highly contagious eye infection commonly known as ‘Apollo,’ which is currently spreading across Bauchi State,” he said.
The Speaker urged residents to remain vigilant, maintain proper hygiene and take preventive measures to limit further transmission.
His disclosure comes days after the Yobe State Specialist Hospital in Potiskum confirmed cases of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, popularly known as Apollo.
The hospital said it had recorded several cases but warned that the actual number of infections could be higher because some affected residents might be treating themselves at home instead of seeking medical attention.
The Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Abubakar Sadiq Zakari, advised residents to wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their eyes and stop sharing personal items that could facilitate transmission.
Residents in different parts of Potiskum have reported red or swollen eyes, itching, pain and excessive tearing. Some residents also said several members of the same household had developed similar symptoms.
One resident, Idris Bello Danchuawa, expressed concern over the continued spread of the infection, while patient Abubakar Suleiman described the situation as increasingly serious.
“This Apollo eye infection has become like an epidemic in Potiskum,” he said.
Another resident, Kasim Muhammad Isah, called for stronger government intervention and increased public awareness as concern over transmission continued to rise.
The Yobe State Government has activated measures to contain the infection.
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said health messages had been developed and distributed through stakeholders and social media.
He added that Health Promotion Officers had been directed to sensitise communities through Village Community Mobilisers.
The Yobe State Primary Health Care Board also advised residents to wash their hands with soap and clean water, avoid touching their eyes and refrain from sharing towels, handkerchiefs, eye drops and eyeglasses.
Authorities warned residents against using traditional or harmful substances such as urine, breast milk, sugar solution, cow dung or battery liquid in infected eyes, saying such practices could cause permanent damage or blindness.
Apollo is commonly used in West Africa to describe infectious conjunctivitis, particularly acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis. The condition can spread rapidly through contact with infected eye discharge, contaminated hands and surfaces.
Medical experts have also dismissed the popular belief that simply looking into the eyes of an infected person can transmit the infection.
The advice from health authorities is for residents with symptoms to minimise close contact, practise strict hand hygiene and seek medical attention rather than rely solely on self-medication.
The reports reviewed confirm cases in Potiskum, Yobe State, while the Bauchi Speaker’s disclosure indicates that he has contracted the infection. However, there is no verified official declaration in the reviewed sources confirming a wider Bauchi State outbreak.
