Pesticides are chemical agents which include herbicides (for weed control), insecticides, and
fungicides. Its application increase yields and protection against insects at post-harvest and
storage, with immense benefit of enhancingthe shelf life of stored agricultural products.
Increased pesticide use, poor handling practices, regulation of its use and monitoring of its
level in the food chain has predisposed to many outbreaks, with grave public health concerns
globally. High lethality associated with pesticide poisoning is due to lack of qualified
healthcare personnel to detect; poor case management and notification system. The study
reported on outbreak associated with pesticide poisoning in Gombe State, Nigeria from 2005
to 2014. A desk review of all outbreaks notified to the state ministry of health from 2005 to
2014 was made. The outbreak reports that fulfilled the case definition of suspected pesticide
poisoning; of abdominal pain, dizziness, vomiting + convulsion in the population were
selected. Total of 32 reported outbreaks were investigated from 2005-2014, of which 2 were
due to suspected pesticide poisoning. One of the outbreaks involved boarding institution. Two
hundred and sixty-seven presented with symptoms after ingestion of the food, out of which 53
had convulsions. Odds Ratio is 9.13 (2.69- 30.97) at 95% Confidence Interval. Samples of
incriminated food revealed the chemical lindane. Introduction of pesticide poisoning reporting
into the disease notification system, revision of policies for monitoring pesticide level at the
respective level of the food chain and research into the cumulative / long term impact of
pesticides to human and animal health.