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
Anambra assembly voices concerns over Onitsha drug market closure impacting local economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ANAMBRA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Anambra House of Assembly has adopted a resolution urging the National...

READ ALSO
Breast cancer cases set to rise dramatically in low-income countries - WHO
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 25, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report indicating that breast cancer cases ar...

READ ALSO
Minister calls for enhanced abattoir standards to safeguard public health
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN)- The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has urged for legislative me...

READ ALSO
Nigeria, China seeks enhance bilateral cooperation to drive economic diversification-Ojukwu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

The federal government on Thursday emphasized the importance of enhanced bilateral cooperation with...

READ ALSO
NDLEA arrests three suspects for supplying arms to bandits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 19, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three suspects linked to supplying of...

READ ALSO
Health Threats: Nigeria, ECOWAS call for urgent regional collaboration
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 19, 2025 0

The federal government of Nigeria, alongside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),...

READ ALSO
Accurate Diagnosis in Healthcare: Challenges, Consequences, and the Path Forward
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 17, 2025 0

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is a critical component of healthcare as it provides an understandin...

READ ALSO
Childhood Cancer Day: Advocates push for No-Cost treatment in public hospitals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 16, 2025 0

Stakeholders advocating for effective cancer treatment have urged governments at all levels to provi...

OUR CHANNELS:

Lagos Leadership Turmoil: Obasa declares Miranda resignation as Lagos assembly speaker
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 28, 2025 0

The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has asserted that the curr...


EFCC charges Jude Okoye with N1.38bn money laundering scheme
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Jude...


LASG arrests four impostors for extorting drivers
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria- The Lagos State government has detained four individuals for purportedly extorting d...


From Olympic Glory to Prison: Antony James sentenced for raping two minors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

A former British Olympic swimmer, Antony James,  has been sentenced to 21 years in prison...


Keir Starmer dismisses Kemi Badenoch's claims as a 'Desperate Bid for Relevance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Wednesday, delivered a sharp rebuke to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch,...


Dangote slashes petrol prices again, offering relief to Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),...


NAFDAC calls for collaboration to combat counterfeit medical products in North-West Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday engaged stake...


Kano schools to commence second term holiday ahead Ramadan
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

KANO, Nigeria - The Kano State Government has announced that Friday marks the start of the second-te...


After 17 Years of displacement, Bakassi community challenges legislative council's authority
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

The indigenous people displaced from Bakassi have turned down an invitation from the Bakassi Legisla...


Fire engulfs Ladipo auto spare parts market, Traders face billions in losses
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

LAGOS,Nigeria (NAN) - Traders at the Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market in Mushin, Lagos, experienced a...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu