NCDC Convenes Emergency Meeting As Suspected Cases Hit 196

As suspected cases of an unknown illness in Sokoto State hits 196 and seven deaths, the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, has convened an emergency meeting with commissioners for health from Sokoto and Kaduna states.

The DG, in a statement on Friday, said the cases were recorded in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Ilella local government areas (LGAs) of Sokoto State.

Dr Idris said the agency was still awaiting the results of the analyses on the various samples sent to the different sister laboratories including NIPRID, NAFDAC and NIMR.

Following reports of similar cases in Zamfara State, the DG said another National Rapid Response Team would be deployed this week to assess the situation and provide support to the state.

He urged affected and nearby communities even in Kaduna State, given its proximity to Sokoto and Zamfara states, to report any symptoms including fever, abdominal swelling and pain, vomiting and weight loss to the nearest health facility or call NCDC toll free line (6232).

He also urged healthcare workers to report any suspected cases to LGA/State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer or State Epidemiologist.