Measles, cough kill six in Jigawa, 249 others infected

An outbreak of measles has been confirmed in Jigawa State.

Reports reveal that about six children have so far been killed by the disease while 249 others are already infected after the outbreak of measles and whooping cough which broke in Suletankarkar Local Government area of the state.

Further reports reveal that the victims are children five years and below. Meanwhile, the six villages mostly affected are border towns between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Head of department for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) department, in the affected Local Council, Mohammed Maisamari said, the outbreak of the two diseases led to tragic death of children.

Maisamari added that his Local Government Area received the report of the outbreak on first day of March after the children were confirmed dead.

According to him, the council promptly responded by sending team of health workers to the affected villages for treatment of all children who had contracted either of the diseases.

“Maizare is the only village amongst the villages that recorded the death of six children,” he said.