13 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Sokoto state by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), raising worries about the poor level of awareness about this mosquito-borne illness among Nigerians.Even with current attempts to contain the illness, more public education and preventative measures are still desperately needed.
64 suspected cases have been reported in Sokoto state from three Local Government Areas (LGAs): Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (three), and Dange Shuni (one), according to the NCDC, which made the announcement on its official website on Monday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the dengue virus (DENV) is a prevalent virus spread by mosquitoes that poses a significant threat to public health. In 1964, in Ibadan, Nigeria, DENV serotypes 1 (DENV-1) and 2 (DENV-2) were first identified in Africa.
Dengue was first discovered in monkeys and spread to humans up to 800 years ago.
It was limited to Southeast Asia and Africa until the middle of the 20th century. Through marine cargo, the dengue viruses that infect virulent people and the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry them move throughout tropical Southeast Asia.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is known to spread the West Nile, dengue, and Zika viruses, is common in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa.
According to the Nigerian Public Health Institute, the outbreak was discovered in November 2023 and there had been no reported deaths in the state of Sokoto.
According to the government, most suspected cases were affected individuals between the ages of 21 and 40.
It states that dengue fever is a virus that is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The dengue virus is the source of the infection. It is unknown if the virus may spread from person to person.
Around the world, the virus is primarily prevalent in urban and semi-urban areas in tropical and subtropical climates.
The majority of dengue patients recover in one to two weeks with minimal or no symptoms.
"Symptoms often start four to ten days after infection and continue for two to seven days, if at all.
High temperature (40°C/104°F), excruciating headache, discomfort behind the eyes, aches in the muscles and joints, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash are some of the symptoms that may accompany the fever.
"Those who contract dengue virus twice are more likely to experience severe symptoms."
In order to direct in-country preparedness efforts, the NCDC-led multisectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Technical Working Group (NEVHD TWG), in cooperation with partners and pertinent stakeholders, has carried out a quick risk assessment.
According to the statement, "the NEVHD TWG coordinates preparedness efforts for emerging viral haemorrhagic fever diseases, including the Ebola virus disease."
Based on a dynamic risk assessment, the agency stated that the dengue outbreak's current risk level was moderate.
"Currently, the nation has the technical, medical workforce, and diagnostic capabilities necessary to respond efficiently in the case of a widespread outbreak.
"Virus-related hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, such as the 2014 Ebola Outbreak and Lassa fever that followed, have also been addressed by Nigeria."
Over time, the NCDC stated, "this has built our preparedness and response capabilities for viral hemorrhagic fevers like the dengue virus."
The Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology and the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Abuja both have dengue virus diagnostic capabilities at the moment.
It stated, "To improve preparedness and readiness in the event of a large-scale outbreak, the NCDC will proceed to optimize existing Lassa fever testing laboratories and others within the NCDC national laboratory network for DENV diagnosis."
It further stated that control capacities were available along with an efficient response system to reduce the possibility of the outbreak spreading to other states.
In the meanwhile, public health specialist Dr. Gabriel Adakole stated that preventing dengue illness was essential.
According to Adakole, Nigerians can protect themselves against Dengue fever by using repellent, dressing in long sleeves, avoiding periods of high mosquito activity, removing mosquito breeding grounds, utilizing mosquito nets, and keeping track of local health advisories.
"Symptoms of Dengue fever, which include high fever, intense headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding, should be known to Nigerians."As a result, they ought to refrain from self-medication and seek medical assistance right away.
He added, "Furthermore, adhering to health recommendations and remaining updated about regional outbreaks can aid in successful prevention and control."