By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, hosted an emergency meeting with two Commissioners for Health
from Sokoto and Kaduna States to proffer solution to the strange disease ravaging the states.
This was contained in a statement issued by the agency on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
According to the statement, the meeting held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at NCDC’s Headquarters, Abuja.
The DG also spoke on telephone with Zamfara’s State Commissioner for Health to unravel the cause as well as contain and mitigate the impact of the ongoing incidents of unknown origin in both Sokoto and Zamfara States.
The Commissioners (Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, Dr. Aisha Anka and Hajiya Umma Ahmed) discussed the current situation, provided updates on response efforts, and agreed with the DG of NCDC on further measures to contain and mitigate the impact of the illness suspected to be heavy metal poisoning possibly linked to mining activities.
As of today, a total of 196 suspected cases of the unknown illness with seven (7) deaths have been reported across Isa, Sabon Birni, and Ilella Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sokoto
State.
The statement also disclosed that, “results of the analyses on the various samples sent to the different sister laboratories including NIPRID, NAFDAC and NIMR are being awaited.
“Following reports of similar cases in Zamfara State, another National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) will be deployed this week to assess the situation and provide support to the state”.
The NCDC therefore, urged affected and nearby communities even in Kaduna State, given its proximity to Sokoto and Zamfara states, to report any symptoms including fever, abdominal swelling and pain, vomiting, and weight loss to the nearest health facility or call NCDC toll free line (6232).
Healthcare workers were also urged to report any suspected cases to Local Government Area (LGA)/State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer or State Epidemiologist.
