Health workers absent as measles outbreak kills 50 in Rivers

Community leaders in Rivers State’s Kugbo Clan, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, yesterday called for immediate government involvement in response to a measles epidemic that has claimed the lives of 50 people.

According to reports, a communicable sickness that was originally detected in the Amurouttoru-Kugbo village has spread to the clan’s Emago-Kugbo and Akani-Kugbo communities, killing children.

“We have a crisis ravaging the Okugbo Clan, that is Emakgbo, Akani, and Akpotu,” Levi Marcus, Chairman of the Emago Kugbo Community Development Committee, remarked. It’s about measles.

“In Akani-Okugbo, from what we witnessed and confirmed, 20 children have died. If you travel to Amuruotoru, you will see the same situation. We have up to 15 documented cases. We have made every effort to reach the government, but they have not responded. “

“The situation presently is terrible,” Emago-Kugbo Youth Leader Edoghotu Edwin remarked. The measles has infiltrated the town, and the youngsters are suffering. In Emago, over 15 children have perished.

“The situation has extended to Akani and Amuruotor. And we are calling on the government to come to our aid because there are no health workers to handle the situation. “

According to Dr. Eli Sokarimie, a gynecologist, the situation may have been exacerbated by a lack of competent supervision, an inability to immunize newborns, and sensitization due to residency in the rural Abua/Odual neighborhood.

“Rivers State has the lowest rate of measles infection of 11 per 100,000 cases,” said Sokarimie, Executive Director of the Mother, Baby, and Adolescent Global Health Foundation.

“However, data reveals that the frequency of measles among children under the age of five has been steadily increasing in Nigeria.”