Measles Outbreak Kills 13 Children In Borno

Measles has made a comeback in Nigeria as it killed 13 children in Borno State.

The epidemic outbreak was revealed by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

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This is coming few days after the international body made a wakeup call on vaccinating children who have been described to be more vulnerable to the epidemic as it is making a comeback in many countries.

However, a statement by Eva Hinds, a Communication Specialist with United Nations Children’s Fund, Nigeria 2017 Demographic Health Survey, revealed that only 65 per cent of eligible Nigerian children receive their first dose of measles vaccine every year.

The specialist went on to lament that the inadequacy of proper vaccination in Borno State has led to the deaths of at least 13 children in the current measles outbreak, adding that the Nigerian Government is working with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation to tackle the growing cases of the epidemic.

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“Following a growing number of reported cases of measles, the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organisation, will conduct a vaccination campaign in Borno to protect 1.7m million children aged 6 months to 10 years against measles.”

Hinds also disclosed that the campaign will run from March 21 – 25, 2019.

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