The Nigeria Centre for ailment Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the spread of an unusual ailment in Sokoto.
Confirming the occurrence, the agency’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, stated that 164 suspected cases had been detected in six (6) wards of the Isa local government area, namely Bargaja (22), Isa North (17), Isa South (98), Tozai (12), Tsabre (4), and Turba (11). Four deaths have been reported among the suspected patients.
Idris stated that on March 21, 2024, the Sokoto State Ministry of Health reported cases of children presenting with symptoms like as abdominal distension due to the quick onset of fluids in the abdomen (ascites), fever, vomiting, and weight loss from Sokoto State’s Isa LGA.
The NCDC DG 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.”
Idris stated that the NCDC sent a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) to collaborate with the State Ministry of Health to investigate and respond to the event.
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While stating that a similar incidence was previously noted in 2023, again without a clear diagnosis, he added that two suspected instances are being treated at Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto, and one victim has been discharged due to improving 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.”
The NCDC director general stated that an early clinical examination and analysis of the cases brought to the teaching hospital ruled out an infectious origin of the incident, forcing the search for additional reasons, including heavy metal testing.
The results of the initial heavy metals test for the index and the first few probable cases revealed varying blood levels of lead (Pb) and chromium.
The results of the test received yesterday revealed significant amounts of lead in the blood of the affected patients, and more tests were still being conducted to determine the condition. Members of the impacted and surrounding communities have been encouraged to remain watchful and report anyone exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms to the nearest health facility or call the NCDC toll-free number.
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