The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) officially announced the detection of a dengue fever outbreak in Sokoto State, as revealed in a statement on its website. The outbreak, identified in November 2023, has triggered a comprehensive response from the NCDC to manage the situation effectively.
As per the statement signed by the Director General of the NCDC, Ifedayo Adetifa, Sokoto State has reported a total of 71 suspected cases, with 13 cases confirmed and, fortunately, no reported deaths. The affected areas include Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three cases), and Dange Shuni (one case). The majority of suspected cases fall within the age range of 21-40 years.
Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus and transmitted through mosquito bites, has shown a prevalence in tropical and sub-tropical climates, primarily in urban and semi-urban areas. While most individuals experience mild or no symptoms and recover within one to two weeks, severe cases can occur, leading to complications and, in rare instances, death. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash. Individuals with a second infection face an increased risk of severe dengue.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC-led multisectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group (NEVHD TWG), in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide preparedness activities. The NEVHD TWG, known for coordinating preparedness efforts for diseases like Ebola virus disease, has deemed the current risk level of the dengue outbreak as moderate through dynamic risk assessment.
The statement highlighted Nigeria’s existing capacity to respond to viral haemorrhagic fevers, citing the successful management of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and subsequent responses to diseases like Lassa fever. The NCDC has diagnostic capabilities for the dengue virus at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.
Despite the moderate risk level, the NCDC is proactive in optimizing Lassa fever testing laboratories within its national laboratory network for DENV diagnosis to enhance preparedness for a potential large-scale outbreak. The statement reassured that an effective response system is in place, including control capacities, to limit the risk of the outbreak spreading to other states.
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