The Federal Government has deployed the National Rapid Response Team to Kano state over mystery illness that has infected over 200 persons and killed four.
Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu, made the announcement on Monday during the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
“The Kano State Ministry of Health reported a cluster of cases in 13 LGAs within the state with most of the cases having fever, vomiting, yellowish eyes and abdominal pain as symptoms.
“We’ve tested four samples taken from these cases for Lassa fever and yellow fever at the NCDC National Reference Lab. The results of these were negative.
“We’re working with, our sister agency NAFDAC as well as a toxicologist from FMoH to test for potential non-infectious causes.
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“The agency has also collected additional human and environmental samples for metagenomic sequencing which is a method for detecting rare new causes of illness.
“Our immediate focus is to identify the cause of this mystery illness in Kano, ensure management of current cases and to control transmission.
“We’ll continue to keep members of the public aware of our findings, while we support the state’s response,” Ihekweazu said.
