The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday said it is investigating the outbreak of an unknown disease in Benue state which has killed 15 people already.
The director-general of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu told the News Agency of Nigeria that the centre is taking steps to effectively manage the disease.
According to Ihekweazu, water samples from affected areas have been sent to the federal ministry of water resources for further analysis.
He equally revealed that samples tested at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory came out to be negative for major viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), which refer to a group of diseases caused by viruses such as Ebola and Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever.
The NCDC DG also asked health workers to be on the alert over the disease while investigation continues.
The disease was said to have been reported first on January 29 in Oye, Obi local government area of Benue.
Senator Abba Moro, from Benue, had earlier in the week reported the casualty figure at the floor of the senate.
Moro also disclosed that more than 100 persons have been infected by the disease.
Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, had said medical examinations have not detected the exact ailment, “but there are indications suggesting that the chemical substance being used for fishing in the affected community could be responsible”.
With NAN report
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