The Federal Government has launched laboratory investigations to uncover the exact cause of a strange flesh-eating disease that has claimed seven lives in Malabu, Adamawa State.
Dr. Adesigbin Olufemi, Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, confirmed this in Abuja. He disclosed that as of September 10, there were 67 confirmed cases, with eight patients undergoing surgery at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola.
According to him, the illness usually begins as a boil, bursts, and then gradually eats away flesh, sometimes extending to the bones. While the precise cause is still unknown, Buruli Ulcer is strongly suspected. He explained that the disease is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, a bacterium commonly found in swampy environments and stagnant river systems. “Up till now, nobody is sure exactly how it is transmitted. Some theories suggest insects like water fleas or mosquitoes may inoculate individuals when they bite,” he noted.
Olufemi praised the proactive response of the Adamawa State Government, federal health agencies, and partner NGO REDAID, which arrived in Malabu on September 14. Mild cases are being treated at local health centres, while severe ones have been referred to specialised hospitals. He stressed the importance of sensitisation, revealing that some residents initially attributed the outbreak to witchcraft, delaying treatment.
He further explained that Malabu’s remoteness—about two hours from Yola with poor road access—compounded the response challenges. “People will not need to go to those rivers to fetch water if they have pipe-borne or borehole water around them. That way, they are less exposed,” he said, emphasising that clean water and sanitation are vital for long-term health security.
Olufemi assured the public that both federal and state governments, alongside health partners, remain committed to treating patients and curbing further transmission. The World Health Organisation recognises Buruli Ulcer as one of the most neglected tropical diseases globally.
