Following reported cases of unknown illness in Sokoto and Zamfara states, Northwest Nigeria, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, has held an emergency meeting with the Commissioners for Health from Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara states to unravel the cause and work out control measures. In a press statement signed by Idris, obtained from the NCDC’s website on Thursday, it was noted that the meeting was held at its Headquarters in Abuja. “The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, hosted an emergency meeting with two Honorable 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 Honorable 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 stated.
The NCDC boss had on April 9, said the agency was investigating and responding to the strange illness identified in six wards in Sokoto State. Idris said the agency deployed a National Rapid Response Team to work with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health to respond to the incidents. He noted that the initial clinical assessment and investigations of the cases admitted at the Uthman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto ruled out an infectious origin of the event, necessitating the need to search for other causes. He said that the results of the initial test for heavy metals for the index and the first few suspected cases revealed different blood levels of lead and chromium. He added that observed activities in the affected communities include mining, agricultural practices that involve the use of various types of chemicals and pesticides, health-seeking behavior, and practices of the communities, which may be detrimental to people’s health.
The agency explained that heavy metals including cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are emitted mainly into the air as a result of various industrial activities, including mining, especially where regulation is poor. The NCDC stated, “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.”
So far, 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. “The Honorable 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 enjoined to the 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 the NCDC toll-free line (6232). Healthcare workers were also urged to report any suspected cases to the LGA, State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, or State Epidemiologist. It said the agency is committed to working closely with the affected states to contain the incidents effectively and will continue to provide updates to the public as new information becomes available. The NCDC, however, urged policymakers to ensure that mining activities in their states are regulated and standards enforced, while artisanal mining is discouraged.
