Mongolia National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) on Tuesday announced that 22 new cases of measles infection have been registered over the past 24 hours, bringing the national caseload to 13,989.

The NCCD said in a statement that 56 people remained in the hospital, including five critically ill children.

On Dec.

Therefore, the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact.

Common complications include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and inflamed eyes. The disease can be prevented by immunization.

 Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, a retired Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, has warned that snakebite envenoming, classified as a highest-priority Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), is a major public health threat in Nigeria.

Anyaike, said on Monday in Abuja, describing snakebite as a “silent killer” that disproportionately affects farmers, herders and rural dwellers, groups critical to the nation’s food security and economic stability.

Recent data presented during  the World NTD Day 2026 indicate that Nigeria remains one of the world’s high-burden countries for snakebite envenoming, with the Carpet Viper (Echis ocellatus) accounting for over 60 per cent of reported cases.

He noted that inspite of the availability of effective treatment, outcomes remain poor due to delayed hospital presentation, inadequate health facility capacity and widespread reliance on traditional remedies.

“About 82 per cent of snakebite victims first seek traditional treatment. “These delays significantly increase the risk of death or permanent disability,” he said.

He emphasised that snakebite is not just a medical emergency but a socio-economic crisis.

“When a farmer is bitten, the impact goes beyond the individual. It affects household income, food production, and community resilience,” he said.

According to him, findings also reveal that nearly half of health facilities in high-burden areas lack the full capacity to administer antivenom, citing shortages of trained personnel, cold-chain systems and consistent antivenom supply.

“Specialised centres such as the Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital in Gombe State, as well as facilities in Bauchi State, have become referral points for severe cases, highlighting the limited distribution of functional snakebite treatment centres across the country,”.

He stressed that prevention remains one of the most effective strategies to reduce snakebite incidence, particularly among farmers and rural residents.

He advised residents to use torches or flashlights when walking outdoors at night, wear thick knee-high boots and long trousers when working on farms or in tall grass, and keep surroundings free of debris, woodpiles and overgrown weeds where snakes often hide.

He also highlighted the importance of a correct first-aid response in the event of a bite. “If a bite occurs, time is life. Victims should stay calm, move away from the snake, immobilise the affected limb and seek immediate medical care,” he said.

He cautioned against harmful practices such as tying tourniquets, cutting or sucking the wound, and applying herbs, noting that such actions often worsen injuries and increase the likelihood of infection and amputation.

“These practices do not neutralise venom. Delays in getting antivenom remain the leading cause of snakebite deaths in Nigeria,” he said.

He called for improved antivenom access, strengthened rural health infrastructure, and sustained public awareness campaigns as Nigeria aligns with the World Health Organisation’s target of halving snakebite deaths and disabilities by 2030.

He urged governments, development partners and communities to treat snakebite envenoming with urgency, stressing that awareness, early treatment and health system investment could save thousands of lives annually/

The WHO also said Nigeria is among the countries worst affected by snakebites, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 cases and roughly 2,000 deaths annually.

Some estimates of the WHO, suggested that the burden was higher, with 43,000 cases and 1,900 deaths reported in 2025 data. (NAN)

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Government and Sightsavers, have called for collective action to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The state marked World NTD Day, highlighting the importance of uniting efforts to combat diseases that affect over one billion people worldwide.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr.

The Commissioner emphasized that NTDs pose a significant barrier to poverty reduction, economic growth, and social development.

He noted that Kogi State has made progress in combating NTDs, including the successful completion of the Transmission Assessment Survey 1 (TAS 1) for Lymphatic Filariasis, leading to the cessation of mass drug administration.

According to him, the achievement, made possible through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Sightsavers, has led to the cessation of mass drug administration for Lymphatic Filariasis in the state.

Abdulazeez said the achievement was a testament to sustained effort and partnership with donor partners and other relevant stakeholders.

“This is a major public health milestone, and we are proud of the progress made,” he said.

He noted that Kogi has been combating NTDs, including Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths, through mapping surveys and treatment programs across the 21 Local Government Areas.

He added that the treatment commenced in 1997 for Onchocerciasis, with Mectizan administered in all 21 LGAs, and in 11 LGAs for Lymphatic Filariasis using Mectizan and Albendazole.

He, however noted that in spite of the achievement, the state faces challenges, including non-release of government counterpart funding, lack of dedicated project vehicles, and Community Drug Distributors absconding after training due to poor remuneration.

“The Ministry is seeking support from the Executive Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, to address these challenges and facilitate the donation of a Hilux utility vehicle to enhance program logistics,” he said.

The commissioner on behalf of his Ministry appreciated the Governor for his remarkable strides in strengthening the state’s health sector.

He expressed gratitude to Sightsavers, the World Health Organization, and other donor agencies for their support, saying, “Together, we can Unite, Act, and Eliminate NTDs for a healthier and more productive Kogi State.”

Anita Gwom, the Director Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), Sightsavers, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to eliminating NTDs in Nigeria.

She said Sightsavers, as a leading organisation in the fight against NTDs, is intensifying campaigns on the need for collective action against the diseases.

“Sightsavers has been involved in the fight against NTDs in Nigeria for over three decades.

“For us at Sightsavers, World NTD Day is a chance for us to call on everyone to join forces and eliminate NTDs in Nigeria by 2030, as set out by WHO,” Gwom said.

Musa Momohjimoh, State NTD Coordinator, emphasized the importance of sensitization and prevention, saying, “The ministry has been sensitizing people about NTDs.

He emphasized that knowledge and ideas are key to healthy living. ‘Prevention is key.

Momohjimoh urged the people to use free services from the government and partners, like Sightsavers, which has done over 200 free surgeries.”

He stressed the goal is Universal Health Coverage, where everyone accesses quality healthcare, regardless of income.

‘Let’s work together to eliminate NTDs and create a healthier Kogi State,” he said.

The World NTD Day is marked every January 30, and the global theme is: “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs,” highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Kogi State Ministry of Health, NTDs Control, Elimination and Eradication Programme, in collaboration with Sightsavers and Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), celebrated World NTDs Day with various activities.

These included a courtesy visit to National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), Kogi Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, an academic panel discussion, media outreach through a radio talk show, a commemorative road walk, and press briefing.

The awareness activities also cut across major campuses in Kogi State, such as Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State Polytechnic, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) Anyigba, and Kogi State University Kabba.