The Nigerian government has launched laboratory investigations to determine the exact cause of a strange flesh-eating disease that has killed seven people in Malabu, Adamawa State.
Dr. Adesigbin Olufemi, Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, as of September 10, there were 67 confirmed cases, with eight patients undergoing surgical treatment at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola.
“These are undergoing surgical treatment with the support of the government,” he said, stressing the coordinated efforts to manage the medical emergency in affected communities.
The disease typically begins as a boil, later bursts, and then gradually eats away flesh, sometimes even damaging the bones in the affected area.
Olufemi stated that although the exact cause remains unknown, Buruli Ulcer is suspected.
“This tropical disease is still under investigation for confirmation,” he said.
He explained that Buruli Ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, a bacterium commonly found in swampy environments and stagnant riverine ecosystems.
“Up till now, nobody is sure exactly how it is transmitted. Some theories suggest insects like water fleas or mosquitoes may inoculate individuals when they bite,” Olufemi added.
The coordinator commended the proactive response of the Adamawa State Government, alongside federal agencies and non-governmental partner REDAID, which arrived on site on September 14.
He said patients with mild symptoms were being treated at local health centres, while severe cases requiring surgery had been referred to specialised hospitals.
Olufemi also noted that public sensitisation was crucial, especially as some residents initially attributed the disease to witchcraft, delaying access to medical treatment.
“One of the very important things we are doing is to continue creating awareness,” he said, urging residents to seek medical care early.
He pointed out that Malabu is a remote community, located about two hours from Yola, with poor road access, making swift medical response more difficult.
Olufemi stressed that long-term health security required not just medical care, but also access to clean water and improved sanitation in rural areas.
“People will not need to go to those rivers to fetch water if they have pipe-borne or borehole water around them. That way, they are less exposed,” he explained.
He assured the public that the federal and state governments, supported by health partners, remain committed to treating patients and curbing further transmission.
The World Health Organisation recognises Buruli Ulcer as one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases, mostly affecting rural, riverine communities with limited access to healthcare.
