Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

NCDC Investigates Strange Illness in Sokoto

POSTED ON April 9, 2024 •   Health & Wellness      BY Ebiakuboere England
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, said the agency has begun an investigation and response to a strange illness identified in six wards in Sokoto State.

To assist the Sokoto State Ministry of Health in responding to the incidences, Idris stated that the organization has sent out a National Rapid Response Team.

During a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Idris said that the state ministry of health had notified the agency on March 21, 2024, about cases of children from the state's Isa Local Government Area exhibiting symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and weight loss, along with abdominal distension brought on by the rapid onset of abdominal fluids (ascites).

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris Source Guardian. Credit-Fotojet

He noted that most of the cases are children aged four to 13 years, including some adults from different wards and settlements across the LGA.

He said, “The NCDC deployed a National Rapid Response Team to work with the State Ministry of Health to further investigate and respond to this incident. So far, a total of 164 suspected cases have been identified in six wards of Isa LGA Bargaja (22), Isa North (17), Isa South (98), Tozai (12), Tsabre (4), and Turba (11). 

Unfortunately, four deaths have been recorded among the suspected cases.
“A similar incident was previously documented in 2023, also without a definitive diagnosis.

“Currently, two suspected cases are currently receiving care in Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, and one case was discharged on account of improved symptoms. 

"Four other suspected cases are also on admission at the Isa General Hospital, while about 130 cases are also receiving care either within the Primary Healthcare Centres or home care in the affected LGA.”

According to the director of the NCDC, the first clinical evaluation and inquiries into the cases admitted to the teaching hospital excluded an infectious cause for the incident, so more causes had to be looked for, including heavy metal tests.

Despite the security issues limiting access to the neighborhood, he stated the agency is cooperating with other relevant parties to assist the state government in actively seeking cases and containing the outbreak.

Additionally, he exhorted the residents of the impacted and surrounding areas to exercise caution and report anyone exhibiting symptoms to the closest medical institutions or by calling the NCDC's toll-free number.

READ ALSO
Dangote Advocate end to health tourism, Emphasize local drug- production
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President and chief executive officer of Dangote groups, Aliko Dangote, has called...

READ ALSO
Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...

READ ALSO
Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....

READ ALSO
Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...

READ ALSO
Health Equity: Nigeria's Push for Universal Health Coverage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

In alignment with the global effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria is striving to...

READ ALSO
WHO Calls for Immediate Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products to Protect Youth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new publication on Friday, urging governments to swif...

READ ALSO
WHO Unveils New Vaccination Strategies to Protect Infants from RSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization announced on Friday its recommendations for two new vaccination option...

READ ALSO
NGO Calls for Tax Elimination on Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Hygiene
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

A non-governmental organization (NGO), FAB Treasure Foundation, urged the federal government on Thur...

OUR CHANNELS:

Enugu Proposes Bill to Curb Criminal Activities Linked to Traditional Practitioners
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

ENUGU, Nigeria - Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has proposed an Executive Bill to the Enugu State H...


Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...


Controller General Issues Urgent Security Directive for Correctional Facilities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has issued a strict order to all Zonal Co...


NEMA Mobilizes Teams to 15 States Amid Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sent officials to 15 high-risk states to educate...


Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....


Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...


Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...


Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...


Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...


EFCC Charges Two Men for Posing as Fake Sureties in Illegal Mining Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged two individuals, Shehu Abdu and Isah...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu