Metro

Again, lead poisoning claims 28 children in Niger

Published

9 years ago

May 14, 2015

About 28 children have reportedly died following a fresh outbreak of lead poisoning in Niger state bringing the number of deaths from lead poisoning in the country to 191, including 139 children.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a total of 420 cases were recorded in Zamfara and Niger states, respectively.

Briefing newsmen on the latest development in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health, Mr Fidelis Nwankwo, said that 68 fresh cases of the lead poisoning were recorded in Kawo and Magiro villages of Rafi local government area of the state.

“Sixty eight cases have been recorded as at May 12, 2015, and 28 deaths had occurred giving the case of fertility rate of 43 per cent,” said Nwankwo.

According to him, all the deceased were children below the age of five and comprised 17 females and 11 males.

He said the affected children were found to have a high serum lead level between 17 and 22 times higher than the acceptable limits established by the World Health Organisation.

The minister, however, said that the federal government adopted an eight-point strategy to tackle the situation upon receipt of the report from the Niger Government.

Nwankwo listed the measures to include advocacy meetings with the affected community leaders on the dangers of economic activities involving mining.

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