Over 60 children affected as measles hit Benue IDP camps

No fewer than 60 children were reportedly down with measles as there is an outbreak of the disease in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Benue State.

Some of the camps hit by the disease include; Otese, Bawa and Daudu 3 all located in the Guma local government area of the state.

An impeccable source disclosed that while 30 children from Otese camp were down with measles more children were reportedly down with the disease in Bawa and Daudu 3 IDP camps.

It was reliably gathered that children between five years and above were mostly affected.

Confirming the outbreak of measles in the IDP camps in the state, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Emmanuel Shior though did not give the number of children down with measles.

But he allayed the fear saying that the agency was already collaborating with the State Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations like; Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and ICR to address the outbreak of the disease.

He said, “Government, through Ministry of Health, is on top of the situation, usually during hot seasons like this, we experience issues of measles, so the ministry is collaborating with SEMA, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and ICRC, who are supporting us in the area of WASH. So, we are addressing the concern.”

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, Benue State Project Coordinator of Medecines Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) Mitch Rhyner said that the organization had since 2018 continued to support the displaced persons in IDP camps in the state including victims of measles in the state.

The project coordinator stated after conducting newsmen round the exhibition of their activities to celebrate the organisation’s 50 years of humanity.

The exhibition was held at City Bay Park located at Wurukum in Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State.

Rhyner explained that the organization had played a vital role in Benue State since the displacement of people after the herdsmen attack on the state communities in 2018.

“Since then, we’ve conducted activities in four other LGAs, providing primary healthcare to some thousands of patients; we have drilled boreholes, conducted a cholera response, established shelters and delivered food and non-food items.

“We’re currently helping the State Ministry of Health respond to a Measles outbreak. We’ve enjoyed partnership with the Ministry of Health, State Emergency and Maintenance Agency and other humanitarian and state organizations during these activities,” he said. (Tribune)