A measles outbreak has killed five children in Unguwar Kanawa community in Tankarau, Dutsen Abba, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The village head of Unguwar Kanawa, Nasiru Yunusa, who confirmed the deaths, said two children from the same family died seven days ago.
He attributed the deaths to the community’s initial reluctance towards vaccination.
“Two-thirds of our people didn’t like vaccinating their children due to misconceptions. But now, many are changing their attitude because of the sickness and deaths we are witnessing,” Yunusa said.
According to him, there are other sick children confirmed to have measles within the community.
He said most of these children were from households where parents refused to have them immunised.
He also lamented the lack of healthcare facilities in the area, noting that the nearest Primary Health Centre is about seven kilometres away.
“Women now deliver at home because there’s no clinic here. We are appealing to the government to provide a health clinic for us,” he pleaded.
Saude Safiyanu, a housewife in the community, also recounted her tragedy, having lost four of her children to preventable illnesses.
