After noticing cases of an unidentified illness in Sokoto and Zamfara states, Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, called for an urgent meeting with the Health Commissioners of Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara states to investigate the root cause of the illness and develop strategies for containment.

The meeting, which took place at the NCDC headquarters in Abuja, was aimed at addressing the emerging health concerns in the affected regions.

“The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, hosted an emergency meeting with two Honourable Commissioners for Health from Sokoto and Kaduna States on April 16, 2024, at NCDC’s Headquarters Abuja and also spoke on the telephone with Zamfara’s State Commissioner for Health to unravel the cause as well as contain and mitigate the impact of the ongoing incidents of unknown origin in both Sokoto and Zamfara States.

“The Honourable Commissioners (Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, Dr. Aisha Anka, and Hajiya Umma Ahmed) discussed the current situation, provided updates on response efforts, and agreed with the DG of NCDC on further measures to contain and mitigate the impact of the illness suspected to be heavy metal poisoning possibly linked to mining activities,” it mentioned.

The Director-General of the NCDC, in a statement made on April 9, revealed the agency’s active engagement in investigating and responding to a concerning health issue that had emerged in six wards within Sokoto State.

Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, Idris conveyed that a specialized National Rapid Response Team had been swiftly dispatched to collaborate closely with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health in effectively managing and containing the developing crisis.

Upon closer examination of the cases being treated at the Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, it was determined through initial clinical assessments and detailed investigations that the peculiar illness plaguing the region was not of infectious origin, leading the team to explore other potential causative factors.

Resulting from the preliminary tests conducted on the primary case and subsequent suspected patients, fluctuations in blood levels of lead and chromium were duly identified, hinting at a probable relation to heavy metal exposure.

In delving deeper into the situation, the NCDC observed a multitude of activities taking place in the affected communities, encompassing practices like mining and agricultural procedures involving the utilization of an assortment of chemicals and pesticides.

Furthermore, the health-seeking behaviors and prevalent customs within these locales were flagged as possible contributors to the detrimental health outcomes being witnessed.

Expanding on the environmental dynamics underlying the issue, the agency underscored the dissemination of heavy metals, namely cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury, into the atmosphere as a direct consequence of industrial operations, particularly within inadequately regulated mining zones.

This revelation underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of the environmental factors at play in order to adequately address and mitigate the health risks posed by the presence of these hazardous substances in the affected regions.

The NCDC said “This also contributes to the deposition and build-up in soils. Heavy metals can also contaminate water sources and get into plants if they persist in the soil. Exposure to heavy metals either through the air (dust), soil, plants, or water is associated with kidney, brain, liver, and bone damage including cancers of the body depending on the type of heavy metals.

“Persons most at risk or vulnerable include pregnant women (unborn babies), infants and children, illegal/artisanal miners, industrial workers, etc. Some of the effects of heavy metals are immediate while many will take a long time to manifest.”

As of now, a combined total of 196 potential cases of the unidentified illness, resulting in seven fatalities, have been documented in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Ilella Local Government Areas in Sokoto State.

“The Honourable Commissioners, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, Dr Aisha Anka, and Hajiya Umma Ahmed, discussed the current situation, provided updates on response efforts, and agreed with the DG of NCDC on further measures to contain and mitigate the impact of the illness suspected to be heavy metal poisoning possibly linked to mining activities.

“As of today, a total of 196 suspected cases of the unknown illness with seven deaths have been reported across Isa, Sabon Birni, and Ilella Local Government Areas 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.

“Following reports of similar cases in Zamfara State, another National Rapid Response Team will be deployed this week to assess the situation and provide support to the state,” the statement further read.

The NCDC urged individuals in the affected and neighboring communities in Kaduna State, given its closeness to Sokoto and Zamfara states, to promptly report any symptoms such as fever, abdominal swelling and pain, vomiting, and weight loss to the nearest health facility or contact the NCDC toll-free line (6232).

Furthermore, healthcare professionals were encouraged to notify the LGA, State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, or State Epidemiologist of any suspected cases.

The NCDC stated its commitment to collaborating closely with the affected states to effectively manage the situations and will provide updates to the public as new information arises.

In addition, the NCDC recommended that policymakers regulate mining activities in their states and enforce standards, while discouraging artisanal mining practices.