The Kaduna government and UNICEF have intensified efforts to contain an outbreak of measles that has already claimed the lives of two children.

The measles outbreak that hit the Unguwan Kanawa community,  Zaria LGA, has affected no fewer than 20 children.

The outbreak is attributed to the years of parental refusal to immunise their children, largely due to misconceptions about vaccination. Two children from a family of nine died, and at least 20 others were infected.

However, another report suggests six children died in the outbreak. The outbreak is linked to vaccine hesitancy among parents, with many refusing to immunise their children due to misconceptions.

In a swift response, the state government and UNICEF are working together to strengthen disease surveillance and have launched emergency re-vaccination campaigns in Zaria.

The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board has mobilised outreach teams to identify, track, and immunise affected households. Health officials are working to sensitise the community about the importance of vaccination.

The director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Hamza Ibrahim, confirmed that surveillance teams were on the ground, and vaccination teams would visit households to immunise eligible children.

According to Mr Ibrahim, the agency has deployed different mechanisms to curtail the measles outbreak in Kaduna. He disclosed that the Kaduna government had launched an immunisation rapid response team in the affected area.

Meanwhile, UNICEF’s chief of field office in Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, stated that the community had refused vaccination three years ago.

“As you have observed for yourself, there is now a serious measles outbreak. Several children have never been immunised, and as a result, they are suffering from measles.

“In one family of nine, they have already lost two children, and others are still sick. So, it is very important for the community to immunise their children,” she said.

(NAN)