The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s director-general, Dr. Jide Idris, announced on Tuesday that the organization has started looking into and treating an unusual illness that has been found in six wards in the state of Sokoto.

According to Idris, the organization has sent out a National Rapid Response Team to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in Sokoto State in order to address the events.

Idris gave this explanation during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja: on March 21, 2024, the state ministry of health notified the agency about cases of children from the Isa Local Government Area of the state presenting with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and weight loss, along with abdominal distension brought on by the rapid onset of abdominal fluids (ascites).

He mentioned that the majority of the cases involve youngsters between the ages of four and thirteen, with a small number of adult cases from various wards and settlements within the LGA.

He said, “The NCDC deployed a National Rapid Response Team 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 among the suspected cases.

“A similar incident was previously documented in 2023, also without a definitive diagnosis.

“Currently, two suspected cases are currently receiving care in Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, and one case was discharged on account of improved symptoms.

“Four 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 or home care in the affected LGA.”

According to the director of the NCDC, the first clinical evaluation and inquiries into the cases admitted to the teaching hospital excluded an infectious cause for the incident, so more causes had to be looked for, including heavy metal tests.

“Results of the initial test for heavy metals for the index and first few suspected cases revealed different blood levels of lead and Chromium.

“Observed activities in the affected communities include mining, agricultural practices which involve the use of various types of chemicals and pesticides, the health-seeking behaviour, 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,” he said.

Despite the security issues limiting access to the neighborhood, he stated the agency is cooperating with other relevant parties to assist the state government in actively seeking cases and containing the outbreak.

Additionally, he exhorted the residents of the impacted and surrounding areas to exercise caution and report anyone exhibiting symptoms to the closest medical institutions or by calling the NCDC’s toll-free number.