NCDC Probes Cause of Unknown Killer Disease in Sokoto State

•164 suspected cases, four deaths recorded in Bargaja LGA

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it has commenced series of measures to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unknown killer disease in Sokoto State which has claimed four lives.

The Centre said it was working in collaboration with other stakeholders to support the state government in actively searching for cases and to unravel the outbreak, in spite of the security challenges affecting access to the community.

The stakeholders included the Teaching hospital, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the State Ministry of Health, various Health workers, the Sokoto State Water Board, and other MDAs.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the Centre was notified by the Sokoto State Ministry of Health on March 21, 2024, of reported cases of children presenting with symptoms which included abdominal distension due to rapid onset of fluids in the abdomen (ascites), fever, vomiting and weight loss from Isa Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.

He said there was initial delays in getting diagnostic results from the laboratory tests in Sokoto which led NCDC to seek further laboratory investigations from the Teaching hospital, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).

Idris, said most of the cases were children aged four to 13 years, including some adults. The patients came from different wards and settlements across the LGA.

“The NCDC deployed a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) 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 amongst the suspected cases,” he said.

Idris, explained that currently, two suspected cases are currently receiving care in Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto and one case discharged on account of improved symptoms. 

He said four other suspected cases were also on admission at the Isa General Hospital, while about 130 cases were also receiving care either within the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) or home care in the affected LGA.

According to him, the initial clinical assessment and investigations of the cases admitted at the Teaching Hospital ruled out an infectious origin of this event, necessitating the need to search for other causes, including heavy metal testing.

He added that the results of the initial test for heavy metals for the index and first few suspected cases, revealed different blood levels of lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr).

Observed activities in the affected communities included mining, agricultural practices which involve the use of various types of chemicals and pesticides, the health-seeking behavior and practices of the communities which may be detrimental to people’s health.

NCDC said various samples of materials had also been taken and dispatched for analyses, including blood, abdominal fluids, environmental samples like soil and water, locally grown food produce including vegetables and grains, substances and ingredients used for food and drinks, pesticides and chemicals used in local guns.

The DG recalled that a similar incident was previously documented in 2023, also without a definitive diagnosis

Idris, sympathised with the families of the deceased who have lost their loved ones to this incident.

“NCDC acknowledges the leadership of the Sokoto State Government, the State Ministry of Health, the support of the UDUTH as well as all the healthcare workers and other stakeholders who are working hard to manage the incident.

“NCDC urges all the members of the affected and nearby communities to be vigilant and report anyone presenting with the above stated symptoms to the nearest health facilities to them or call NCDC toll free line (6232).

“Healthcare workers are also urged to report any suspected cases to LGA/State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer or State Epidemiologist,” he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the incident in Kogi where a viral video showed that a student that died from disease suspected to be Lassa fever, the DG said that from preliminary investigation, the cause of death was not traced to Lassa fever.

He said further investigation was ongoing by health officials in Kogi state.