Unknown illness breaks out, 24 hospitalized in Niger

At least 24 residents of Bida, the headquarters of Bida Local Government Area in Niger State, have been hospitalised following the outbreak of an unknown illness in the town.

 

Reports indicate that 20 of the affected individuals have been discharged after more than a week of treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida.

 

The illness, characterised by sudden collapse and loss of communication abilities, has left many in the community on edge.

 

Speaking on the development, the Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, attributed the cases to untreated severe typhoid and malaria.

 

“The Disease Surveillance Unit, Public Health Department, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Niger State, received information on an outbreak of a strange illness in Bida LGA on 19th January 2025,” Dr. Tukur explained.

 

He further disclosed that the State Rapid Response Team (RRT), led by the Assistant State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, conducted an investigation on January 20, 2025, alongside the local government team.

 

“Symptoms observed in the patients included sudden onset of weakness, loss or altered consciousness, with or without fever. Total patients on admission were three—two at FMC Bida and one at Umaru Sanda Ndayako Hospital, Bida. Others in the hospitals have been discharged,” Dr. Tukur said.

 

According to the commissioner, blood samples collected from the affected individuals revealed the illness was linked to poorly treated malaria and typhoid fever.

 

He also mentioned hypersomnolence due to diphenhydramine as a possible contributing factor.

 

The commissioner clarified that no deaths were recorded during the outbreak and that all patients received treatment locally within Bida.

 

“The total number of cases was 24: four on admission and 20 discharged. The State Government and Bida LGA have sensitised residents on environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, and adequate nutrition,” Dr. Tukur added.

 

He also confirmed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had been notified and that further laboratory investigations were underway.

 

Active case searches have been conducted in health facilities and the community to manage the situation, with local authorities working to prevent further outbreaks.

 

 

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