At least 34 residents of Sokoto State are currently receiving treatment at a specialist hospital following an outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in Tureta Local Government Area.
The affected individuals, mostly farmers, have been hospitalised for over a week as health authorities work to contain the outbreak, which has attracted the attention of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, confirmed that additional cases had been reported in multiple local government areas, with some patients receiving palliative treatment at general hospitals.
“A high-level stakeholders’ meeting has been convened to strategise on effective case management and containment measures. All principal health officers have been put on high alert, and necessary medical supplies are being dispatched to affected areas,” Wurno said.
While the exact cause of the poisoning is still under investigation, previous studies have linked similar outbreaks to contamination from heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
The commissioner noted that the NCDC, in collaboration with the Africa CDC, is analysing samples collected two weeks ago to determine the source.
“Treatment and feeding for affected patients are ongoing under the directive of the governor. We are awaiting scientific confirmation of the cause before taking decisive action to prevent future occurrences,” he added.
Speculation has emerged regarding possible links to illegal mining activities, but Wurno stressed that regulatory actions would only be taken once conclusive evidence is obtained.
“We must base our actions on scientific findings rather than speculation,” he stated.
The state government has assured residents of its commitment to managing the crisis effectively while awaiting laboratory results to guide further interventions.
