Response to an unusual outbreak in a high-risk situation

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 27; no. Suppl 1; p. 7
• Main Authors: Dalhat, Mahmood Muazu, Fawole, Olufunmilayo Ibitola, Nguku, Patrick Mboya, Park, Meeyoung Mattie, Hall, Casey Daniel, Sani-Gwarzo, Nasir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2017; The African Field Epidemiology Network
• Subjects: Case Study; Child; Disaster Planning - methods; Disasters; Disease Outbreaks; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Epidemiologic Methods; Epidemiology; Gold; Humans; Lead Poisoning - epidemiology; Nigeria - epidemiology; Public health; Public Health - education; Public Health - methods; epidemiology; outbreak; lead poisoning; disaster management; Public health
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2017.27.1.12566

In 2010, a series of lead poisoning outbreaks linked to artisanal gold processing killed at least 400 young children in Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria. There were several efforts to respond to the outbreaks as they occurred. Subsequent recurrence of lead poisoning outbreaks within Zamfara and beyond suggested that there were no efforts to mitigate the outbreaks as recommended for disaster management. This case study, to be completed within 3 hours, is suitable for senior level public health officials and those training for such positions. It enables participants to review and apply epidemiological principles for managing disasters and suggest steps toward development of policy recommendations based on the context of environmental lead exposure. It will serve as a generic training module for managers/responders of other natural (floods, heat stroke) and man-made disasters (civil strife, conflict, insurgency) based on the general/standard principle of the complete disaster management cycle.