The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is
investigating the outbreak of an unknown disease in Benue state.
Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of NCDC, told NAN on
Saturday the agency is taking steps to effectively manage the disease which is
said to have killed 15 persons.
Abba Moro, a senator from Benue, had reported the casualty
figure at the floor of the senate. He also said more than 100 persons have been
infected by the disease.
Ihekweazu said water samples from affected areas have been
been sent to the federal ministry of water resources for further analysis.
He said samples tested at the NCDC National Reference
Laboratory came out to be negative for major viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs),
which refer to a group of diseases caused by viruses such as Ebola and Marburg,
Lassa fever, and yellow fever.
The NCDC DG also asked health workers to be on the alert
over the disease while investigation continues.
The disease was said to have been reported first on January
29 in Oye, Obi local government area of Benue.
Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, had said medical
examinations have not detected the exact ailment, “but there are indications
suggesting that the chemical substance being used for fishing in the affected
community could be responsible”.
Water sampling should not be the first step to managing this outbreak. Comprehensive serology, pathology and microbial evaluation on victims to identify the cause is the first step. This should then be followed by mitigation via source and dispersal identification.
ReplyDeleteWhat are they looking for in the water sample when they have not identified the probable cause of the sickness?