Measles outbreak kills 13 children in Borno

Aminat Isah, Abuja

The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) has revealed the death of at least 13 children in the current measles outbreak in Borno state.

Eva Hinds, a Communication Specialist with United Nations Children’s Fund made the revelation in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement indicates that the low coverage of  children who received their first dose of measles vaccine every year, has led to the deaths of at least 13 children in the current measles outbreak.

He added that the 2017 Demographic Health Survey, shows that only 65 per cent of eligible Nigerian children receive their first dose of measles vaccine every year.

The statement further said the Nigerian Government is working with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation in a bid to tackle the growing cases of measles.

“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, to run from 21 – 25 March 2019,”