The Abia State Government has reported three suspected cases of measles in Arochukwu and Umunneochi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, the Commissioner for Health revealed this while briefing newsmen in Umuahia on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.
She said that frantic efforts were being made to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
“We assume the quantum of the infection to be an outbreak, hence our proactive measures to control the situation. We are currently mopping up to identify those children and ascertain when the condition started and the severity of the scourge.”
The commissioner attributed the infection to the dry weather conditions being experienced in the state and advised that more vulnerable children be vaccinated against such diseases.
“We had our campaign on preventive measures against the disease, and thousands of children were vaccinated at the beginning of December 2023. If some children were not vaccinated, they could be the outbreak’s source.
“We are doing everything to contain and prevent further spread of the disease; as I speak, it is under control,” she said.
Also, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, called on parents to ensure their children were vaccinated against the disease and urged state residents to be vigilant and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid being infected with the disease.
“The government is working round the clock to ensure that it does not spread outside those two LGA’s,” Kanu said.
He said that the ongoing renovation works on the Umunneato and Okpuala Ngwa General Hospitals had reached completion stages, adding that they would soon be put to use.
He also said that a medical outreach would be conducted in the state by April 2024 to treat different ailments free of charge.
According to him, the programme will reach remote rural areas for wider and effective coverage as 5000 residents were targeted and 200 persons would benefit from free surgeries during the programme.
