Benue links unknown illness to contaminated water- The Benue state government has identified the leading cause of the strange illness that killed four people in the state - The state's commission for health and human services said the death and hospitalisation of the victims was due to contaminated water - According to the commissioner residents of the community have been urged to look for an alternative source of water for drinking and domestic use Following the death of four people and hospitalisation of 15 others due to a strange illness in Benue state, the state government has said that the deaths were linked to the consumption of a chemically contaminated water. Daily Trust reports that the Benue state commissioner for health and human services, Sunday Ongbabo, said the controversy which occurred in Obi local government area was due to the consumption of the water by the victims. Ongbabo said residents of the area have been urged to, as a matter of urgency, look for another source of water for drinking and other domestic use. He also assured that the patients who have been brought into the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi are closely monitored. Ongbabo said: "We are at the community right now as I speak to you; we have transferred those who are down with the sickness to the teaching hospital for thorough monitoring." “Since the victims showed same symptoms particularly, diarrhoea, we have advised the people to stop using their source of water because the water is likely contaminated," Ongbabo said. He also said that officials of the state government will take the water for analysis before they can arrive at anything. "Right now, we have advised them not to use the water or fish from there," he added. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Andyson Egbodo, the new president of Igede national youths council, said each of the deceased showed the same symptoms which are headache, internal heat, diarrhoea, vomiting. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He also said that a medical team has been sent to the local government area to tackle the disease and prevent its spread. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Uzodinma: Why Mbaka's prophecy is seen as a mathematical calculation - Ubani| Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The Benue state government has identified the leading cause of the strange illness that killed four people in the state - The state's commission for health and human services said the death and hospitalisation of the victims was due to contaminated water - According to the commissioner residents of the community have been urged to look for an alternative source of water for drinking and domestic use Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com Legit.ng: