LAGOS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of Cerebra Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Sabon-Birni local government of Nigeria's northwestern state of Sokoto has killed at least five people, local media reported on Sunday.

    According to the official News Agency of Nigeria, the outbreak of measles has also been reported in some parts of the local government but no death has been recorded.

    Outbreak of CSM has been also reported in some other parts of the state and initial statistics shows that at least 14 persons have been infected by CSM.

    The Sokoto State Ministry of Health has sent medical teams, drugs and vaccines to the affected areas to curtail the spread of the diseases and provided drugs and vaccines.

    Handing over the vaccines and drugs to the local governments at the weekend, Alhaji Maccido Dogon-Daji, acting director of the Medical Services, called for the judicious use of the medicaments.

    He advised the people to sleep in well-ventilated rooms and report all suspected cases promptly to the nearest health institution.

    Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and showing such symptoms as fever, vomiting, intense headache, and stiffness in the neck. Enditem