Niger confirms 11 Buruli ulcer cases

The Niger State Government has confirmed an outbreak of Buruli ulcer in Munya Local Government Area, with 11 cases reported so far.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Mohammed Bagana, disclosed this on Tuesday in Minna, noting that medical experts have been deployed to affected communities for four weeks to investigate the cause and contain the spread of the disease.

He said samples collected from the communities have been sent to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria for laboratory analysis.

Bagana also announced that the state has successfully eliminated five neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), describing the achievement as a major public health milestone.

Speaking during a press briefing to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, the commissioner said Nigeria has identified 16 NTDs, adding that Niger State has eradicated five of them.

He stressed that tackling the remaining diseases requires collective efforts beyond government, citing poverty, inadequate funding, poor sanitation and lack of basic amenities in rural areas as factors driving their prevalence.

“Guinea worm and some others have been eliminated in Niger State and across Nigeria. With political will and sustained investment, the elimination of other diseases is possible and achievable,” he said.

January 30 is observed annually worldwide to raise awareness and promote actions toward the eradication of neglected tropical diseases. Niger State marked the day in collaboration with development partners, including the World Health Organisation, to strengthen efforts toward eliminating the remaining infections.