Nigeria: 19 children killed in suspected measles outbreak in Northeast
At least 19 children have been killed so far by a suspected measles outbreak in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Adamawa, local authorities said Saturday (April 27).
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| A child gets vaccinated in Africa. |
| Photo: AFP/VNA/CVN |
More than 200 children are believed to have been affected by the measles outbreak in Mubi North local government area, Adamawa Health Commissioner Felix Tangwami told reporters on Saturday (April 27).
Official reports indicate that the 19 deaths were caused by complications related to the measles outbreak, Tangwami said, noting that this development had led to a rapid mobilization of doctors and medicines to affected communities.
Children suffering from serious infections will be referred to specialized hospitals, he added, while criticizing parents for refusing to vaccinate their children.
Measles is a viral infection common in children under five years old, but easily preventable with vaccines. It is spread through the air through respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.
Xinhua/VNA/CVN
