At least 24 residents of Bida, the headquarters of Bida Local Government Area in Niger State, were hospitalised after the outbreak of a mysterious illness in the town.
Reports indicate that 20 of the affected individuals have since been discharged following more than a week of treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida.
The illness, which caused sudden collapse and loss of communication abilities, has left many residents worried.
Providing an update on the situation, Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, said the outbreak was linked to untreated severe typhoid and malaria.
“The Disease Surveillance Unit, Public Health Department, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Niger State, received information on an outbreak of a strange illness in Bida LGA on 19th January 2025,” Dr. Tukur explained.
He further revealed that an investigation was conducted by the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) on January 20, 2025, in collaboration with local health authorities.
“Symptoms observed in the patients included sudden onset of weakness, loss or altered consciousness, with or without fever. Total patients on admission were three—two at FMC Bida and one at Umaru Sanda Ndayako Hospital, Bida. Others in the hospitals have been discharged,” Dr. Tukur said.
Laboratory tests conducted on blood samples from the patients linked the illness to poorly treated malaria and typhoid fever. The commissioner also identified hypersomnolence caused by diphenhydramine as a possible contributing factor.
No deaths were recorded during the outbreak, and all patients received treatment within Bida.
“The total number of cases was 24: four on admission and 20 discharged. The State Government and Bida LGA have sensitised residents on environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, and adequate nutrition,” Dr. Tukur added.
He confirmed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had been notified and that further laboratory investigations were ongoing.
Active case searches have also been conducted in health facilities and the community to manage the situation. Local authorities are working to prevent further outbreaks through awareness campaigns and improved health monitoring.
