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The Zamfara state government has disclosed that an unknown illness has claimed the lives of four people and infected 177 others in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Aisha Anka, disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau, sighted by our correspondent on Saturday and signed by the Information Officer of the ministry, Malam Bello Ibrahim.
According to the commissioner, the disease is characterised by abdominal distension, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, fever, and general body weakness.
Anka said, “The illness is found in Maradun, Shinkafi, and Gusau local government areas in the state. Children are mostly affected, and the cases are associated with water consumption.
“So far, four deaths have been recorded, and 177 cases were detected. The incident has been reported to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), its partners, and all other relevant stakeholders.
“The Ministry of Health is currently in the emergency response phase to identify the illnesses and causes.
“Various biological human and animal samples, soil samples, water samples, agricultural and foodstuff samples have been taken to Lagos and Abuja laboratories for analysis.
The ministry will continue to update the general public and all relevant stakeholders and partners on any update about the outbreak,” she added.
