What was the cause of an epidemic of 355 cases (46% fatal) between March and June 2010 in Zamfara State, Nigeria?
Zamfara State lead poisoning epidemic Zamfara State lead poisoning epidemic A series of lead poisonings in Zamfara State, Nigeria, led to the deaths of at least 163 people between March and June 2010, including 111 children. Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health figures, state the discovery of 355 cases with 46 percent proving fatal. This is one of the many lead poisoning epidemics with low and middle income countries. An annual immunization programme in Northern Nigeria led to the discovery of a high number of child deaths in the area. An investigation showed that they had been digging for gold at the times of their deaths,
Zamfara State (14) Local Government Areas. They are: Zamfara State is mainly populated by Hausa and Fulani people, with some members of Gwari, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, Bussawa and Zabarma ethnic communities. Others include the Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Nupe and Tiv. The state capital is an important commercial center with a heterogeneous population of people from all over Nigeria. As in all major towns in Nigeria, all the major towns in Zamfara have a large population of other peoples from different parts of Nigeria. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of the state and the central source of income. Irrigation is