The federal government has launched laboratory tests to uncover the cause of a strange flesh-eating disease that has claimed seven lives in Malabu, a remote community in Adamawa State.
Dr. Adesigbin Olufemi, Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, confirmed the development in Abuja. He said that as of September 10, 67 cases had been recorded, with some patients undergoing surgical operations at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, while others with milder symptoms were being treated in local health centres.
The disease reportedly begins as a boil, later bursts, and gradually destroys flesh and, in severe cases, affects the bones. Although the exact cause is yet to be identified, health officials suspect Buruli Ulcer, a tropical disease linked to the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans, which is common in swampy and stagnant water environments. The mode of transmission is still uncertain, but theories suggest insects such as mosquitoes or water fleas may play a role.
Government health teams, supported by non-governmental groups including REDAID, arrived in Malabu in mid-September to provide treatment and conduct awareness campaigns. Residents had initially linked the illness to witchcraft, which delayed hospital visits, but officials are now stressing the need for early medical care.
Access to Malabu remains difficult, as the community is about two hours away from Yola with poor roads, slowing emergency response. Experts say long-term solutions must go beyond treatment, pointing to the need for clean water and improved sanitation to reduce exposure to unsafe rivers and swamps.
The World Health Organisation has listed Buruli Ulcer as one of the world’s neglected tropical diseases, often affecting rural riverine communities with limited access to healthcare.
Authorities have assured that both the federal and state governments, working with partners, are committed to managing the outbreak and preventing further spread.