4 Strange Illness Deaths Recorded in Sokoto!

 According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), four people have passed away in Sokoto State's six local government areas from an unidentified illness.

At a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, said that the impacted wards are Bargaja (22), Isa North (17), Isa South (98), Tozai (12), Tsabre (4), and Turba (11).

Idris stated, “Unfortunately four (4) deaths have been recorded amongst the suspected cases.”  

According to the NCDC boss, “The NCDC was notified by the Sokoto State Ministry of Health on March 21, 2024, of reported cases of children presenting with symptoms which include 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.

“Most of these cases are children aged 4 – 13 years, including some adults. The patients came from different wards and settlements across the LGA,” the NCDC boss said.

He reported that one person had been released due to improving symptoms, and two suspected cases were being treated at Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto.

Four additional suspected cases are being admitted to the Isa General Hospital, according to Dr. Idris.

In the impacted Local Government Area (LGA), he said, around 130 cases are also receiving care at the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) or at home.

In regards to the illness's cause, the DG stated that preliminary clinical evaluation and inquiries into the cases admitted to the Teaching Hospital excluded an infectious origin, hence requiring the need to look for alternative explanations, such as heavy metal testing.

“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 include 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.

“In this regard, various samples of materials have 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 head of the NCDC noted that a comparable occurrence was reported in 2023 but no conclusive diagnosis was made at the time.