NCDC confirms Dengue Fever outbreak in Sokoto
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has officially confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in Sokoto State.
The NCDC announced the detection of the outbreak, with 71 suspected cases and 13 confirmed cases reported, and thankfully, no deaths recorded in the state.
The affected cases are concentrated in three Local Government Areas: Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three cases), and Dange Shuni (one case), with the majority of suspected cases falling within the age range of 21-40 years.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most individuals with dengue experience mild or no symptoms, with recovery typically occurring within one to two weeks. However, in rare cases, severe dengue can lead to fatalities, especially for those who have been infected previously.
The NCDC, in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide preparedness actions. The current risk level for the dengue outbreak is considered moderate, with Nigeria having adequate in-country capacity to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
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The country has responded to previous viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics such as the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and subsequent Lassa fever, thereby building preparedness and response capabilities for diseases like dengue virus over the years.
Existing diagnostic capacities for 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 will be optimized to enhance preparedness and readiness for a potential large-scale outbreak.
Additionally, the NCDC has affirmed the availability of an effective response system with control capacities in place to limit the risk of spread to other states.
The NCDC’s proactive measures and collaboration with various stakeholders aim to mitigate the impact of the dengue fever outbreak and ensure robust, coordinated efforts for effective response and control.