There is absolute panic since the outbreak of a strange disease has claimed the lives of six children in the MBUTU community in the Abeh Mbaise Council area of ​​the IMO state.
The executive president of the Local Government of Abeh Mbaise, Barr. Iheukwumere Henry Alariba revealed this in a statement issued on Friday through its chief press secretary, Dike Godspower.
The president said that the outbreak, which occurred in seven days, has killed six children in an age group that varies from one to six years.
The executive president, in response, ordered the temporary closure of all nursery, primary and secondary schools in MBUTU for seven days.
He said that the measure aims to prevent the spread of the disease and guarantee the safety of children.
Altered by the situation, the president also ordered that Mbutu's children not participate in the last child celebration scheduled to be held on May 27, 2025, as a precautionary measure.
Alariba also revealed that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the IMO Ministry of Health, together with ABOH MBAise's health personnel, are actively working to investigate and stop the propagation of this unusual disease.
According to him, plans are being made to collaborate with the state government and the relevant agencies to contain the outbreak and guarantee the well -being of citizens.
He directed parents who have not yet vaccinated their children to do it without delay, and added that vaccines are essential to prevent the propagation of diseases and protect the health of children.
He urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities while working to contain this outbreak.
Meanwhile, the OMI State Health Commissioner, Dr. Chioma EGU, has revealed that there have been several cases suspected of diphtheria disease in the MBUTU community, ABOH MBAISE Local Government Area, IMO state.
This, according to her, follows the confirmation of the laboratory of some of these cases, achieved through the activation of the ministry of its rapid response mechanisms to contain the situation.
She said: “We understand the concerns that this development can raise between residents and interested parties. However, we want to ensure the general public that the situation is under control.”
The commissioner said that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with its development partners, has implemented medical surveillance and response equipment to the affected community to ensure rapid identification, isolation and treatment treatment.
She assured that there would be free treatment and management of cases of all confirmed and suspect cases, as well as the search for active cases and the contact tracking within the community and the surrounding areas.
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He urged all MBUTU residents and neighboring communities to keep calm and cooperate fully with health workers and officials in the field, describing diphtheria as a preventable disease by the vaccine, and that detection and early treatment are highly effective.
The commissioner advised the members of the public to report any suspicious symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing or collar swelling, to the nearest health center.
EGU assured the commitment of the IMO State Ministry of Health to protect the health and safety of all citizens, in line with the vision of their excellence, the distinguished Hope Uzodimma senator, for a resistant and receptive health system.
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