The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated laboratory investigations to determine the exact cause of a strange flesh-eating disease that has claimed the lives of seven people in Malabu community, Adamawa State.
As of September 10, there have been 67 confirmed cases of the disease, with eight patients currently undergoing surgical treatment at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH) in Yola.
Dr. Adesigbin Olufemi, the Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, disclosed these details in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He stated that surgical interventions are being supported by the government as part of coordinated efforts to manage what is now being treated as a medical emergency in the affected communities.
The disease reportedly starts as a boil that bursts, progressively eating away at the flesh and sometimes damaging the bones in the affected areas. Though the exact cause remains unknown, experts currently suspect it to be Buruli Ulcer, a tropical disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans. This bacterium typically thrives in swampy environments and areas around stagnant riverine ecosystems.
Transmission of Buruli Ulcer is not fully understood. Some theories suggest that insects such as water fleas or mosquitoes may transmit the bacterium when they bite. The disease has posed significant public health concerns, especially as residents in affected areas initially attributed the symptoms to witchcraft, resulting in delays in seeking proper medical treatment.
Public health officials have urged residents to seek early medical care and avoid traditional remedies. The Adamawa State government, with support from federal agencies and health partners, is actively involved in treating patients and pursuing measures to curb further spread.
Long-term solutions are focused not only on medical care but also on improving access to clean water and sanitation to reduce exposure risks in vulnerable rural communities.
The World Health Organization classifies Buruli Ulcer as one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases, predominantly affecting rural, riverine populations with limited healthcare access.
The Nigerian government’s swift response aims to contain the outbreak and provide relief to affected residents in Malabu and surrounding areas.
