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
FG approves Medipool to supply essential healthcare products across Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 13, 2025 0

The coordinating minister for health and social welfare, Ali Pate, announced that the federal execut...

READ ALSO
Trump to Slash Prescription Drug Prices by Up to 80%
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 12, 2025 0

President Donald Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order aimed at reducing the pric...

READ ALSO
Childhood Cancer Not Contagious or a Death Sentence - Paediatricians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 12, 2025 0

OSUN, Nigeria (NAN) - Paediatricians have addressed widespread myths surrounding childhood cancer, n...

READ ALSO
FG Launches Initiative to Boost Economy Through Phytomedicine
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 7, 2025 0

The Federal Government has introduced a strategic initiative focused on diversifying the economy and...

READ ALSO
Community Faces Diphtheria Outbreak as NCDC Warns of Rising Antimicrobial Resistance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

ZARIA, Nigeria - A significant public health issue has arisen in the Tukur-Tukur community of Zaria,...

READ ALSO
NCDC issues urgent health alert as cholera cases surge in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 2, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released a p...

READ ALSO
NCS unveils N921bn seizure of sex-enhancement drugs,expire pharmaceuticals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 1, 2025 0

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized five containers of sex-enhancement drugs and six contai...

READ ALSO
Enugu closes unregistered hospitals to safeguard public health
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 1, 2025 0

ENUGU, Nigeria - The Enugu State government, on Wednesday, closed down unregistered hospitals and ph...

OUR CHANNELS:

UNHCR Raises Alarm over Germany's Stricter Border Controls
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

The UNHCR has voiced its concerns regarding Germany's recent move to enhance border controls and den...


CBN Launched BVN Platform for Nigerians Living Abroad
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIB...


CDS Urges Vigilance and Unity among Troops in Fight Against Insurgency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, praised the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA...


Tinubu Calls for Unified Tax System to Enhance Revenue Generation and Equity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to undertaking bold and compreh...


LASG to Introduce Flexible Rent Payment Plans for Low-Income Residents
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State government is in the process of finalizing a system that will allow...


PDP Leaders Reassure Members Amid Defections Ahead of 2027 Elections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador U...


World Bank: Tinubu’s Reforms Bringing Stability to Nigeria’s Economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The World Bank expressed approval of the federal government on Monday, noting that...


APC's Internal Strife: Aregbesola's Exit Leaves Alimosho in Political Limbo
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

When the All Progressives Congress (APC) was established on February 6, 2013, with Lagos State as it...


One Dead, Multiple Injured in Collision Between Truck and Sedan
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria (NAN) - A tragic auto accident along the Trade Fair–Agbara route at Iyana Era B...


LASG identifies gunmen behind rising traffic robberies
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government has attributed the rise in traffic robberies and other c...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu