ASHENEWS reports that the Zamfara state government says it is working to idenfity the causes of the mysterious disease which affected some communities in four local government areas of the state.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aisha Muhammad gave the assurance during a press briefing at Shagari Primary Health Care center in Gusau recently.
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Anka disclosed that, as soon as the mysterious illness was reported to the Ministry of Health, the ministry activated the emergency operation center (EOC) and notified the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
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According to her, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) immediately deployed the national rapid response team to collaborate with the Zamfara State Ministry of Health as well as fourteen local governments’ rapid response team to investigate the matter.
“The rapid response team actively commenced emergency response by taking blood, urine, abdominal fluids and stools samples from both humans and animals.
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“The State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment, took samples of water and soil.
“All the samples collected were taken to the National Reference Laboratories in Lagos and Abuja for testing to identify the disease,” she said.
Anka assured that “We are doing our best to identify the strange disease. Those affected are receiving treatment”.
Zamfara is a state in northwestern Nigeria. The capital of Zamfara state is Gusau and its current governor is Dauda Lawal. Until 1996, the area was part of Sokoto State.
Zamfara is a densely populated area with the Hausa. The Zamfarawa mainly in Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum and Talata Mafara Local Governments areas. Gobirawa populated Shinkafi Local Government.
Gobirawa actually migrated from the Gobir Kingdom. Burmawa are found in Bakura and Fulani peopled Bungudu, Maradun, Gusau and are scattered all over the State.