Nigeria medics to probe rise in 'strange deaths'

The authorities in Nigeria are investigating a reported rise in deaths in the northern state of Jigawa.

The state government has sent a five-person team to report back before the end of the week after residents said there had been an increase in deaths in some communities.

Local reports quoting residents of Hadejia town say about 100 people were reported dead in 10 days.

Doctors in Jigawa initially attributed the deaths to illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The visiting medical team, which includes a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO), will now investigate whether the deaths are linked to coronavirus.

Chairman of the doctors' association in Jigawa, Nura Basirka, has said he is concerned after 16 medical personnel tested positive for Covid-19 and has called for all medical staff to be tested.

So far Jigawa state has officially recorded 39 coronavirus cases and one death.

Investigations are also under way in neighbouring Yobe and Kano states, where there have been reports of rise in deaths linked to "strange" ailments.id it was not linked to coronavirusImage caption: A spike in deaths was recently reported in Kano state but officials said it was not linked to coronavirus

Nigeria has more than 3,000 cases of the virus, with the highest numbers in Lagos.