About 50 children are feared dead following a measles outbreak in Kugbo Clan of Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was learnt that the disease first reported in Amurouttoru-Kugbo Community has now spread to Emago-Kugbo and Akani-Kugbo communities leading to the death of several children in the three communities.
The Community Development Committee Chairman of Emago Kugbo Community, Levi Marcus, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to Marcus, The situation that is ravaging Okugbo Clan, Emakgbo, Akani, and Akpotu has claimed the lives of 20 children. Also, in Amuruotoru, 15 cases have been recorded.
Marcus noted that they have tried their best to reach the government, but they have not responded.”
Also speaking, the Youth Leader of Emago-Kugbo community, Edoghotu Edwin, who said he visited other communities to ascertain the situation of things, appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the communities.
He noted that the situation now is bad as Measles has taken over the community, and the children are suffering and over 15 children have died in Emago.
Meanwhile, a health expert, Dr. Eli Sokarimie, said a recent report on the prevalence of measles in the country shows that Rivers State recorded the lowest.
Sokarimie, the executive director of Mother Baby and Adolescent Global Health Foundation, said lack of surveillance, failure to immunize babies, and lack of sensitisation might be responsible for the outbreak of measles in the area.
The gynecologist called on government at all levels and private concerns to do their best to ensure that those in rural communities are immunized as well as sensitized to the dangers of measles and other diseases.
The state government is yet to speak on the matter, as an official in the ministry said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, was attending a commissioning programme in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
