Thanks to Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary, and Pathfinder at FluTrackers, for alerting me to a potential problem in Nigeria. Via Kogi Reports: Kogi Mysterious Disease: Death Toll Rise to 62. The complete report and then a comment:
The Kogi State Government has confirmed that about 62 people have been killed by a strange disease in the Western part of the State.
As at Thursday, 17th August 2017, the death toll was at 50.
Speaking with newsmen on the latest development on Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna said information reaching the ministry shows that unknown disease has continued to claim the lives of some children and adults for the past few weeks in Okoloke, Okuna, Isanlu-Isa and adjourning Hausa-Fulani communities, all in Yagba-West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“So far, about 62 people have been killed by this mysterious disease. When I visited the affected communities with my team, samples taken from some of the victims were sent to Federal Teaching Hospital Irua, Edo State, for definitive investigation, which turned out to be negative for Lassa Fever.
“On arrival at the community, we interacted with the locals and samples were taken from their water sources and food supply. It was discovered that the people affected showed common symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and stooling. Few of the patients however had Hematemesis and Hematochezia.
“Those found still manifesting the disease were transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital for proper management where an empirical diagnosis of Food Poisoning to rule out Gastroenteritis was made.They are, however responding well to the instituted line of treatment,” he said.
Dr Haruna, however, said Governor Yahaya Bello, has expressed deep concern over the incident and has directed that all the patients be treated at no cost and also charged the State Ministry of Health to conclude investigation within the shortest possible time and prevent further spread of the disease.
We know the number of fatalities, but not the number of cases. Food poisoning affecting hundreds of people (living in different communities) would suggest a single origin, like a wedding or funeral (or a sloppy bootlegger). But the cases have been occurring over a period of weeks, and something similar appears to be going on in another Nigerian state. I'll keep an eye out for developments in this story.
