We Are Investigating Cause Of Strange Disease Killing People In Benue: NCDC

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday said it is investigating the outbreak of an unknown disease in Benue state.

Speaking with the NAN, Chikwe Ihekweazu, director general of NCDC, revealed that the agency is taking steps to effectively manage the disease which is said to have killed 15 persons.

Speaking on the floor of the senate, Abba Moro, a senator from Benue, said that the casualty figure, adding that more than 100 persons have been infected by the disease.

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The NCDC boss further noted that water samples from affected areas have been been sent to the federal ministry of water resources for further analysis.

Ihekweazu said 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 asks health workers to be on the alert over the disease while investigation continues.

The strange disease was said to have been reported first on January 29, 2020, in Oye, Obi local government area of Benue.