The Zamfara Circle, a Non-Governmental Organization has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to pay urgent attention to the outbreak of yet to identify disease which allegedly affected over fifty persons mostly children with the death record of 3 children so far. According to the statement by the Chairman of the Circle, Dr Aminu M. Lawal, PhD, the group has written a letter to the Governor with a view to drawing his attention to the need to act immediately on the outbreak of unknown disease currently in the state which already affected few LGA’s with Maradun and Shinkafi LGA’s with the highest number of reported cases.
“Information available to the Circle indicates that so far about 40+ suspected cases, mostly children, are suffering from the yet-to-be-identified disease suspected to be (metal) poisoning with symptoms such as distended stomach, difficulty in breathing and fever have been evacuated from Shinkafi LGA to Shagari PHC in Gusau where they are meant to receive better medical care. About 3 deaths have been recorded, so far. “The condition these people are living in is not worth sharing as some patients are left sleeping outside because of lack of enough beds.
The patients also defecate openly, largely due to a lack of toilet facilities. “There is also an acute lack of portable drinking water as well as adequate food supply. This is regarded as dangerous as the patients need to be regularly and adequately fed given the need for a balanced diet as part of symptomat.
