Health
FG Launches Tsetse Fly Surveillance Campaign in Akwa Ibom
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced a comprehensive tsetse fly surveillance, community sensitisation, and vector control campaign across livestock settlements, markets, and riverine communities in Akwa Ibom State.
The exercise is aimed at combating the spread of tsetse flies and reducing the incidence of African Animal Trypanosomiasis, commonly known as Nagana, which poses a major threat to livestock productivity.
Flagging off the operation in Uyo, the State Coordinator of the Ministry, Mrs. Ikankeabasi Ukpong, said Nigeria has identified about twelve species of tsetse flies under the Glossina genus, many of which are responsible for transmitting parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans and trypanosomiasis in animals.
She noted that the disease results in weight loss, anaemia, reduced milk and meat production, and significant economic losses for livestock farmers.
Ukpong explained that the Glossina palpalis species is endemic in the South-South region and thrives in humid environments, particularly around rivers and wetlands.
She disclosed that the surveillance team would focus on riverine communities in Itu, Mbo, and Oron Local Government Areas, as well as cattle settlements in Itam, to assess and control the prevalence of the vector.
Speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Teddy Essien, commended the Federal Government for prioritising the programme. He stated that the state had maintained strong collaboration with federal agricultural agencies and expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen animal health management and contribute to economic growth in the state.
Essien assured the surveillance team of the state government’s support and called for regular feedback from field operations to aid planning and decision-making.
He stressed the importance of accurate data collection and reporting in sustaining efforts to eliminate the disease and protect livestock farmers.
Also speaking, the Team Leader, Mr. Gilbert Okoro, described the exercise as part of a nationwide intervention to combat transboundary pests and diseases affecting both humans and animals. He said that the team would deploy and monitor traps in identified hotspots before analysing findings to guide future control measures, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing the burden of tsetse fly infestation across the country.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has claimed 259 lives and infected 1,086 people across 24 states and 118 local government areas so far in 2026.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36 (August 31 to September 6), the agency said the figures represent a case fatality rate of 23.9 percent — significantly higher than the 18.6 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
Twelve new confirmed cases were recorded in week 36, a decline from the 18 cases reported the previous week. The fresh infections were detected in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states.
Five states continue to bear the heaviest burden, accounting for 87 percent of all confirmed cases this year: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo. People aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected age group.
The NCDC noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the latest reporting week. The agency continues to urge the public to maintain hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and seek early medical care if symptoms appear.
Health
Nigerian hospital successfully performs kidney cancer surgery via tele-robotic
The development could reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment, thereby reducing expenditure on international travel, accommodation and medical services.
• A surgeon performing tele-robotic surgery.
Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, has partnered with RoboMed Global and The Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) to successfully perform what the hospital described as the first tele-robotic surgery in Nigeria and West Africa.
The landmark kidney cancer surgery was performed on a patient at Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, while the surgeon, Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davis, remotely controlled the robotic surgical platform from Redeemer’s Health Village in Lagos.
The procedure, which lasted approximately three hours, was performed to remove a kidney affected by a cancerous tumour.
The hospital said the patient had been discharged following the successful procedure, although details about the patient’s identity and condition were withheld for privacy reasons.
Speaking during an event to mark the milestone, the Chief Executive Officer of Nisa Premier Hospital, Dr Ibrahim Wada, said the development demonstrated the potential of tele-robotic surgery to connect specialist surgical expertise with patients across Nigeria.
Wada said the procedure was carried out using the MicroPort robotic surgical platform installed at Nisa Premier Hospital, with the remote surgeon controlling the system from Lagos.
He said the development could reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised medical treatment, thereby reducing expenditure on international travel, accommodation and medical services.
According to him, the technology also creates an opportunity for Nigerians to access specialised expertise from doctors located in other parts of the world without requiring the doctors to travel physically to Nigeria.
Source: Daily Trust
Health
Ondo ‘Monkey Tail’ herbal drink kills 49
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.
A locally produced herbal concoctions known as ‘Monkey Tail’ in Ondo State has killed 49 people .
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.
He explained that the latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area of the state, where eight persons have died from suspected poisoning.
Ajaka disclosed that health authorities had deployed response teams to Irele LGA and other affected communities to conduct surveillance, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.
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