147 cases of measles have been recorded in Kwara State between January and August, this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed.
WHO’s measles Focal Person for Kwara State, Dr. Wole Adaramola, disclosed the figure on Tuesday during a Level Training of Trainers on Measles Microplan on Tuesday in Ilorin.
“Between the months of January and August 2017, the state recorded 147 cases of measles across the 16 local government areas of the state.
“Kwara recorded a coverage of 76.4 per cent out of 95 per cent which is the expected national coverage.
“Our target is to reach about 95 per cent coverage of children across Kwara,’’ he said.
He said about 15,148 suspected cases of measles were reported in 36 states of the country with 3,296 cases confirmed.
He added that out of the confirmed cases, 108 deaths were recorded.
He described measles as very contagious viral and one of the six childhood killer diseases.
He said about 800,000 children die of it globally, every year.
He said, however, that there was a campaign plan in collaboration with other stakeholders including Kwara State Primary Health Care and Development Agency (KWSPHCDA).
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of KSPHCDA, Dr. Abimbola Olorunfunso, said the campaign which was for every four years needed to be more frequent because of the increasing rate of its outbreak.
Her words: “Measles vaccine has impact in protecting and boosting immunity in children.
“Death from measles can be prevented and immunisation is one of the most cost-effective interventions available.
“One of the primary reasons for the high mortality resulting from measles is the under-utilisation of measles vaccine.
“I urge parents to avail themselves of the services offered in health facilities and ensure that their children are immunized.”
