FG Probes Outbreak Of Mysterious Flesh-eating Disease In Adamawa

The national authorities has launched laboratory investigations to find the origin of a mysterious flesh-eating illness that has killed 7 radical successful Malabu, Adamawa State.

Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr Adesigbin Olufemi, disclosed this successful Abuja connected Sunday during an interrogation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, 67 cases had been confirmed arsenic of September 10, with 8 patients presently undergoing country astatine the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola.
“These patients are receiving surgical attraction with authorities support,” Olufemi said, stressing that coordinated measures were successful spot to incorporate the outbreak.

The illness typically begins arsenic a boil, which aboriginal bursts and progressively eats distant flesh, sometimes reaching the bones. Although the nonstop origin has not been confirmed, experts fishy Buruli ulcer.

“This tropical illness is inactive nether probe for confirmation. Buruli ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which is often recovered successful swampy environments and stagnant waters. Its transmission mode is not afloat understood, though insects specified arsenic h2o fleas oregon mosquitoes are suspected,” Olufemi explained.

He commended the Adamawa State Government for its swift effect and the enactment of national agencies and a non-governmental partner, which deployed a squad to the affected country connected September 14.
Olufemi noted that patients with mild symptoms were managed successful section wellness centres, portion terrible cases requiring country had been referred to specialised facilities. He, however, raised concerns that myths astir witchcraft had initially delayed attraction successful immoderate cases.

“One of the astir important things we are doing is continuous nationalist awareness,” helium said, urging residents to question aesculapian assistance early.

He added that Malabu, a distant assemblage astir 2 hours from Yola with mediocre roadworthy access, posed further challenges for exigency response. Long-term solutions, helium said, indispensable besides code h2o and sanitation.

“People would not person to beryllium connected rivers if they had entree to cleanable h2o from boreholes oregon pipe-borne sources. That would trim their exposure,” Olufemi explained.

He assured the nationalist that some national and authorities governments, successful collaboration with partners, were committed to providing attraction and preventing further spread.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies Buruli ulcer arsenic 1 of the world’s astir neglected tropical diseases, chiefly affecting agrarian and riverine populations.