BREAKING: FG Confirms Outbreak of Deadly Dengue Fever in Prominent Northern State, Details Emerge
- The NCDC has said 13 cases of the deadly dengue fever have been confirmed in Sokoto state, northwest region
- In a statement posted on its official website, the NCDC disclosed that the outbreak was discovered in November
- Legit.ng reports that the NCDC vowed to improve its preparedness and readiness in the event of a large-scale outbreak
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9-year-experience covering public journalism
Sokoto, Sokoto state - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Saturday, December 16, confirmed the outbreak of dengue fever in Sokoto state.
The NCDC, in a statement posted on its website, said the outbreak was discovered in November 2023.
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The statement signed by the NCDC director general, Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed that so far, 71 suspected cases, 13 confirmed cases, and zero deaths have been reported in the state. The cases are from three local government areas -Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three cases), and Dange Shuni (one case).
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The agency said the current risk level of the dengue outbreak is moderate based on a dynamic risk assessment.
Legit.ng reports that Dengue fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. It can be life-threatening within a few hours and often requires care at a hospital.
The NCDC's statement partly reads:
“There is currently adequate in-country capacity (including technical, health workforce, and diagnostic) to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
“Currently, there is a diagnostics capacity for the dengue virus at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.
“However, the NCDC will proceed to optimise existing Lassa fever testing laboratories and others within the NCDC national laboratory network for DENV diagnosis to improve preparedness and readiness in the event of a large-scale outbreak."
COVID-19 patients dance in isolation centres
In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that the NCDC stressed that one fact Nigerians must understand is that many asymptomatic patients are put in isolation centres not because they are very sick but just so that the transmission of the disease can be curbed.
The NCDC explained that it is tough for these persons to be quarantined without anything in place to help them while away the time.
Two doctors die of Lassa Fever
In another related news, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo state branch lost two of its members to Lassa fever.
The death of the two doctors occurred within a spate of 24 hours.
Bill Gates not responsible for diphtheria
Meanwhile, several comments from Nigerians have linked the outbreak of the diphtheria disease to American business magnate, Bill Gates.
But a fact-check found that the claim that Gates is responsible for the recent diphtheria outbreak is false.
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Source: Legit.ng
