A measles outbreak has claimed the lives of 42 children in Adamawa State, Nigeria, prompting the state government to shut down all primary and secondary schools as a precautionary measure.
The outbreak, which was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwami, has affected eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi local government areas.
According to Tangwami, out of 131 cases reported in Mubi, 42 children have died, while in Gombi, 177 cases were reported with 42 deaths. The state government has put all 21 local government areas on alert, except for Lamurde.
To contain the spread of the disease, the state Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, announced the closure of all schools – public and private – at primary and secondary levels. The closure, which took immediate effect, will last for one week as the situation is monitored.
This swift action by the state government aims to prevent further spread of the disease and protect the lives of children in the affected areas. The measles outbreak has raised concerns about the need for increased vaccination and public health measures to prevent such outbreaks in the future.
The closure of schools is a necessary step to contain the spread of the disease, and parents and guardians are advised to take necessary precautions to protect their children during this period.
