Healthcare professionals were encouraged to promptly report any suspected cases to the Local Government Area (LGA) or State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, as well as the State Epidemiologist.
Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), convened an urgent meeting with the Commissioners for Health from Sokoto and Kaduna States regarding an unidentified illness in Sokoto and Zamfara states. The meeting, held at the NCDC’s Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, also involved a telephone conversation between Idris and Zamfara’s State Commissioner.
During the meeting, Idris and the commissioners discussed the current situation, provided updates on response efforts, and agreed on additional measures to contain and mitigate the impact of the illness, suspected to be heavy metal poisoning possibly linked to mining activities.
The statement released by the NCDC indicated, “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. Results of the analyses on the various samples sent to the different sister laboratories including NIPRID, NAFDAC, and NIMR are being awaited.”
“In response to 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 statement continued.
The NCDC urged affected and nearby communities, including those in Kaduna State due to its proximity to Sokoto and Zamfara states, to report any symptoms such as fever, abdominal swelling and pain, vomiting, and weight loss to the nearest health facility or call the NCDC toll-free line (6232). Healthcare workers were also reminded to report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
