February 17, 2025

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Nigerian Government Announces The Outbreak Of Dengue Virus, With 71 Cases In Sokoto

Nigerian government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the outbreak of Dengue Fever with Sokoto state having 71 cases already. This was made known via a statement released on their website on Saturday, the statement also revealed that the outbreak was identified in November 2023.

The statement which was signed by NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa revealed that  71 suspected cases, 13 confirmed cases, and zero deaths have been reported in the state from three Local Government Areas -Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three cases) and Dange Shuni (one case). Majority of the suspected cases fall within the age range of 21- 40 years.

 Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Human-to-human transmission of the virus is not established. Dengue is commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical climates, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas worldwide.

Most individuals infected with dengue experience mild or no symptoms and recover within one to two weeks. However, in rare cases, dengue can be severe and even fatal. Symptoms typically appear four to 10 days after infection and can last for two to seven days. These symptoms may include high fever (40°C/104°F), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash. It’s important to note that individuals who have been previously infected with dengue are at a higher risk of developing severe dengue if they are infected again.

“The NCDC-led multisectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group collaborating with partners and relevant stakeholders, has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country preparedness activities.

“The NEVHD TWG coordinates preparedness efforts for Ebola virus disease and other emerging viral haemorrhagic fever diseases,”

“There is currently adequate in-country capacity (including technical, health workforce, and diagnostic) to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale outbreak. Nigeria has also responded to viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics like the Ebola Outbreak in 2014 and subsequently Lassa fever.

“This has built our preparedness and response capabilities for viral haemorrhagic fevers like the dengue virus over the years.

“Currently, there is a diagnostics capacity for the dengue virus at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.

“However, the NCDC will proceed to optimise existing Lassa fever testing laboratories and others within the NCDC national laboratory network for DENV diagnosis to improve preparedness and readiness in the event of a large-scale outbreak,” it said.

The statement read in part