A mysterious illness has killed 15 people and infected more than 100 in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The disease causes vomiting, swelling and diarrhea, and it was first recorded late last month in Benue State, southeast of the capital Abuja.

Government officials said those who have succumbed to the unusual illness allegedly died within 48 hours of infection. 

The illness had been laboratory tested and showed no symptoms of Ebola, Lassa fever or coronavirus, Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health revealed last Friday.

The NCDC had activated an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response activities in conjunction with the Federal Medical Center in Makurdi to ascertain the nature of the illness.

The health minister has advised Nigerians to contact the NCDC immediately on its toll-free number 0800-970000-10 to report strange cases.