A strange disease has killed over 50 people in Kogi State

A strange disease whose symptoms include diarrhea, bloodstained
vomiting and high fever has killed 50 people at Okunran, Okoloke
and Isanlu-Esa villages in Yagba West Local Government of Kogi
state.
Initial reports had suspected lassa Fever, but medics told Dr. Saka
Audu, Commissioner for Health, who visited the affected areas on
Thursday, that it was a strange diseases that was known
“We initially suspected Lassa Fever after getting some misleading
reports about people bleeding around, so we made a diagnosis for
viral haemorrhagic fever (lassa fever), but the result was negative,”
Dr. Jannette Hathorn, a Consultant at ECWA Hospital, Egbe told
Audu.
She said the first case was that of a child of two and half years,
who died 12 hours after he was brought to the hospital.
“We are sure it is not lassa fever; but our concern is that we do not
know exactly what is happening. We have not arrived at a definitive
diagnosis.
“Two adult patients were also brought here; one showed symptoms
of ulcer-viral illness, but there was no bleeding component of any
haemorrhagic symptom.
“We isolated them and both of them were treated for malaria. When
they started improving, we let them go.
“Another parent brought a child to the hospital and pleaded for help.
He said that 50 people had died in their village with similar
symptoms of bloodstained vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
“When the child died, we called the World Health Organisation
(WHO). Yesterday (Wednesday), their officials came and took
samples of everything; we must know exactly what we are dealing
with,” she said.
Audu, who described the situation as “serious”, said the visit was to
assess it “especially since many lives have been lost to the
disease”.
“We want to determine the cause of these mysterious deaths and
then proffer solution to it.
“Government is committed to assisting the people irrespective of
how remote their settlements may be. We must ensure that we take
healthcare to the door steps of rural dwellers.
“We want to reassure the people that government is with them and
will take full responsibility of those who are already ill, so as to
arrest the spread of this disease.
“For now, what is clear and confirmed is that it is not lassa fever;
but whatever it is, we will carry out further investigation and come
up with definitive diagnosis,” Audu said.
He said that the information about the outbreak of the strange
disease came to government last week and a technical team was
immediately sent to take samples which were sent to General
Hospital Irrua, Edo State, for definitive investigation.
“We are digging into the real cause of this ailment. All hands are on
deck toward unraveling the definitive cause of the mysterious
deaths among the kids,” the commissioner assured.
According to him, the Fulani settlers have been reported to be the
worst hit by the disease which broke out three weeks ago.
Ardo Damina Ibrahim, leader of the Fulani settlement, told newsmen
that the first case was reported three weeks ago, adding that
children were worst hit.
“We at first used herbs to treat the patients but had to rush to the
hospital after recording several deaths,” he said.
He explained that parents became more confused when doctors
could not ascertain the cause of the illness, saying that many died
in the hospital while others were discharged without any cure.
“We have lost more than 50 people and still have many helpless
patients at home,’’ he said.
Oba Joshua Ogunyanda, the traditional ruler of the community, who
thanked the commissioner for visiting the area in spite of the
difficult terrain, said that he ran to the Yagba Local Government
when the disease broke out.
“We are confident that the disease will soon be brought under
control with the commitment that you have shown,” he said.
The commissioner later gave N50,000 to the leader of the Fulani
community to transport the sick patients to Lokoja for proper
treatment.