The government of Adamawa state, Northeast Nigeria has shut down primary and secondary schools following confirmation of a measles outbreak that killed 42 children.
Recall that at least 42 people have died from a measles outbreak in a little more than a week. The measles outbreak had mostly affected two local government areas where nearly 200 suspected cases were identified.
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that mostly affects children under the age of five. It can be prevented by two doses of vaccine. Its early symptoms include high fever, cough and runny nose. It also often causes rashes and bumps all over the body of the patient.
More than 50 million measles deaths have been averted through vaccinations since 2000, according to the World Health Organization.
Confirming the outbreak, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwami said all the 21 local government areas of the state, except Lamurde had been put on alert.
He said, “The outbreak was recorded in eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi local government areas of the state with the death toll of 42 out of 131 and 177 respectively of the affected persons.”
The Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, confirmed the closure of schools to SaharaReporters on Monday.
He said, “Yes, we have ordered the closure of all schools – whether public or private at secondary and primary levels.”
“This order which takes immediate effect will last for one week as we monitor the situation,” Pella added.
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