Health authorities however assured that the situation in Benakuma Health District in Menchum Division is under control.

Following the measles outbreak in the North West Region, especially in Benakuma Health District in Menchum Division, which has so far claimed the lives of nine children, the Governor of the North West Region Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, has ordered a health team to remain on the field for case management and continuous sensitisation to arrest the epidemic.

According to Dr. Sama Julius, the Head of the Regional Expanded Programme on Immunization, EPI, Unit, ever since the first two deaths were recorded in Benakuma some weeks ago, they have been burning the midnight candle to keep measles at bay. He said after health  investigations, the results of which were established on July 10, 2015, there have been seven more deaths; increasing the number of deaths to nine, all in Benakuma Health District.

He said their findings equally revealed that there were 148 measles cases in Benakuma. Against this backdrop and with instructions of the Governor, a health team has been stationed there to manage the situation. Dr Sama Julius was quick to add that so far, they are vaccinating children from 9 months to 10 years in Benakuma and its environs so as to protect them from measles. He said they have organised a mini-vaccination campaign in eight villages in the Benakuma Health District. They are Banum, Banahundu, Bosong, Akereru, Ebereogu, Ekura and Eyenge.

He assured all that the situation was under control, but blamed the outbreak on non-adherence to routine vaccination. Against this backdrop, health officials are calling on parents to take their children from nine months for vaccination against measles. It should be recalled that the measles outbreak has hit 11 out of the 19 health districts in the North West Region.