Two children have been confirmed dead and over 20 others sick as measles outbreak hits Ungwa Kanawa in Tankarau of Dutsen- Abba Ward of Zaria local government area of Kaduna State.

This was discovered during a visit to the community as part of activities commemorating the African Vaccination/World Immunisation Week which commenced on the 24 and will last till the 30th April, 2025 With the theme; ?Vaccination for all is Humanly Possible?.

The visit to the community, which was also to carry out Immunisation, was also meant to be an opportunity to monitor supervision of the ongoing Polio campaign, and to observe and document impact of mobile outreaches in a zero-dose ward/LGA as part of an integrated primary healthcare system.

Speaking on the ourbrek and efforts to address it, the Director Disease Control in the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Hamza Ibrahim Ikara who confirmed the outbreak said the visit was part of the ongoing process to ensure proper and quality intervention for polio immunization across the country, which we have just commenced.

?As you have seen in the committee meeting, we have many children who have fallen victim to measles cases, because they have either never received any immunization or missed the measles vaccination we conducted a few months ago.

?Despite outreach teams visiting them, many parents have not been bringing their children for immunization. This situation stems largely from refusal and non-compliance related to immunization.

?In this community, we have been making strong efforts to create awareness among committee members. They have shared reasons why they have not been taking their children for immunization or accepting vaccinators when they come,? he said.

In response to this outbreak, he said he has directed the Local Government Surveillance Officer to strengthen surveillance efforts and ensure that they cover all the communities within the Ungwan Kanawa area to ensure no child showing symptoms is missed.

?We have already ordered vaccines from the state to the local government for re-vaccination efforts within the communities. We have also conducted sensitization activities with household heads, which is very important because, even if women bring their children for immunization, they often cannot proceed without the approval of the men.

?Fortunately, we have secured their consent now, today (Saturday) by 4 p.m., our vaccination and outreach teams will visit the community to carry out vaccinations. Our goal is to quickly stop the outbreak within this community and across the entire local government area,? he assured.

The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Field Office Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila corroborated the outbreak of the Measles in the community. (The Nation)