By Mary Donatus
Correspondent, Bauchi
About five hundred and seven suspected cases of measles has been recorded in Bauchi state from January to October 2017.
This was disclosed yesterday by Dr Bezu Bashir, Measles Consultant with World Health Organization (WHO) while Speaking at the sensitization meeting with the media and MDA’s in preparation for the 2017 measles vaccination campaign organized by Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA).
According to him, out of the 507 suspected cases reported, 56 were positive while 162 specimen were collected.
Dr Bashir said: “we had outbreak of measles disease in 12 Local Government in the state this year while 8 Local Government do not record any outbreak.
“The Local Governments that do not record any case of measles outbreak are Bogoro, Dass, Katagum, Kirfi, Shira, Ningi, Tafawa Balewa and Toro while Gamawa, Ganjuwa, Itas Gadau , Giade, Misau, Kirfi, Shira, Ningi, Tafawabalewa and Toro recorded outbreak.”
He said 95 percent of all children between ages of 9-59 months are expected to be immunize at national level at this year measles campaign while the state is expected to achieve 97 percent and Local Government is to cover 98 percent and 100 percent is expected to be achieve at ward level.
Dr Besu who said measles diseases is one of the contagious disease which can be prevented by ensuring that all children are immunized added that measles affects all age group especially under five.
He said “measles occurs in children 2-5 years interval and the vaccine Programme is key intervention to reduce measles outbreak.”
Speaking earlier, the state Immunization Officer of Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bakoji Ahmed said about 1.7 million under the age of five are expected to be immunized in the state in 2017.
He said the phase 1 of the Programme commences from November 30th to Decembet 5th 2017 while the second phase comes up on December 7th to December 12th 2017.
Bakoji called on all parents to immunize their children saying vaccination against measles reduce mortality of infant under 5 years.
He thereby assured the agency determination to meet its required target of ensuring that all children are immunized.
