A suspected measles outbreak in Damangaza community, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has resulted in the deaths of at least ten children. The head of the Damangaza community, Mr. James Budebo, revealed this during a one-day outreach program organized by Primary Health Care, Damangaza, and the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) on Friday in Abuja.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in young children and those with weakened immune systems.
Mr. Budebo emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing measles and its complications. He mentioned that the recent deaths were attributed to the suspected outbreak and highlighted the challenges of vaccine acceptance within the community.
Mrs. Chika Offor, CEO of VNDC, noted that the outreach program aimed to provide immediate assistance and promote long-term community resilience. Efforts are being made to improve vaccine accessibility and address community concerns and misconceptions about vaccinations.
Ms. Longtang Shawen, a health worker at PHC Damangaza, stressed the need for education to empower the community about vaccine-preventable diseases, sanitation, and hygiene. She urged residents to accept vaccinations to protect vulnerable populations and ensure community-wide immunity.
Chief Bello Musa, head of Damangaza Hausawa, confirmed that the FCT Public Health Department had been notified, with previous visits made two weeks ago. Dr. Teresa Nwachukwu, an FCT epidemiologist, stated that she would investigate the current situation.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) shows that certain states, including Abia, Anambra, Jigawa, Edo, Lagos, and Bauchi, accounted for a significant portion of reported measles cases by December 2023. The age group 9-59 months represented the majority of confirmed cases, and many of the affected individuals had not received any measles vaccine.
The NCDC data highlights the urgent need for vaccination campaigns and public health interventions to control measles outbreaks across Nigeria.