The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reacted to the outbreak of a strange infectious disease in Kano metropolis.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the State Coordinator of the agency, Shaba Muhammad, says the agency has collected water samples and flavour products for laboratory analysis, adding that the samples were referred to its laboratory in Kaduna for analysis.
The NAFDAC official said the infected persons developed symptoms such as severe vomiting and urine mixed with blood after drinking suspected sachet water and local drink.
He said the agency received a report of manifestation of a strange disease suspected to be caused by drinking sachet water and locally processed drinks in the metropolis
Muhammad explained that a team of officials of the agency had visited the infected persons at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Kano, and some of the affected areas.
“Reports indicated that the infection involves sachet water and local drinks suspected to be prepared with expired and adulterated products.
“We collected samples of the suspected water and the products for analysis to establish the cause of the disease,” he said.
While urging residents to be vigilant and check the label of the products, Muhammad said the agency had scaled up surveillance to check the circulation of fake and counterfeit products in the state.
Also, the Kano State Ministry of Health had begun an investigation of the strange disease recorded in parts of Kano Municipal, Kumbotso and Gwale Local Government Areas of the state.