The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed an outbreak of a mysterious disease in Sokoto State.
The director general of the agency, Dr. Jide Idris, stated that a total of 164 suspected cases have been identified in six wards of Isa local government area: Bargaja (22), Isa North (17), Isa South (98), Tozai (12), Tsabre (4), and Turba (11).
Four deaths have been recorded among the suspected cases.
The Sokoto State Ministry of Health notified the agency on March 21, 2024, about reported cases of children showing symptoms such as abdominal distension, fever, vomiting, and weight loss in Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
He said: “Most of these cases are children aged 4–13 years, including some adults. The patients came from different wards and settlements across the LGA.”
Dr. Idris mentioned that the NCDC has sent a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) to collaborate with the State Ministry of Health to investigate and address this situation.
“Currently, two suspected cases are receiving care in Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto, and one case discharged on account of improved symptoms.
He said, “Four (4) 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 (PHC) or home care in the affected LGA.”
He also noted that a similar incident occurred in 2023, but no clear diagnosis was made at that time.
The director general of the NCDC stated that the initial clinical assessments and investigations of the patients at the teaching hospital did not indicate an infectious cause for the event. This has led to the need to explore other potential causes, such as conducting heavy metal testing.
He mentioned that the initial test results for heavy metals in the index case and first few suspected cases showed varying levels of lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr).
Additionally, he stated that the test results received yesterday indicated high levels of lead in the affected cases, and further tests were still ongoing to identify the disease.
He advised members of the affected and nearby communities to stay alert and report anyone showing symptoms to the nearest health facilities or call the NCDC toll-free line.
