Measles Outbreak: Health Workers Nowhere Yet in Abua/Odual as Situation Worsens

As the incidence of measles outbreak in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State continues to ravage children in the area, Kristina Reports can report that there is yet no visible intervention from the Rivers State Government.

Kristina Reports checks in the area, especially, communities with high prevalence rate such as Kugbo Clan, Amurutoru-Kugbo, Emago-Kugbo and Akani-Kugbo Communities show that more children were at risk of infection if nothing was done immediately.  

Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Emago-Kugbo, Levi Marcus told Kristina Reports on Thursday, August 11, 2022 in the community that it appears the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders have abandoned the people of the area to their doom.  

“Well, since the Rivers State Government want our children to die, I have nothing say. The immunization team did not come today; they did not come.”

He said that though there has there been no other casualty, more children were getting infected, regretting that with no intervention in sight by the government or any other institution, the people were resorting to self help such local treatment to save the lives of their children.

“No other child has died but so many children are very down and some of the parents said they were resorting to native treatments such as fufu water and what they call bush sugar cane.”

Reacting to the use of fufu water by parents of some of the affected children, a medical practitioner, who preferred anonymity, told Kristina Reports that it was “counterproductive and not necessary” as measles was a virus that needs the attention of a certified medical practitioner.