• As UNICEF, Kaduna govt race to contain spread
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
A serious measles outbreak has hit Ungwan Kanawa, Dosa Aba Ward of Zaria Local Government, Kaduna State, leaving two children dead while several others are in critical condition.
Already, the affected families are devastated while health officials scramble to respond to the outbreak in good time.
The outbreak, traced to years of parental refusal to immunise their children, has already claimed the lives of two children from a single family of nine, with several others critically ill.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila, described the situation as alarming, emphasising that many children suffering from measles had never been immunised.
“Three years ago, this community had a 100 per cent refusal rate for vaccinations.
“Today, we are witnessing the tragic consequences,” Dr. Birukila said during an immunisation campaign in the area on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
“We urgently need predictable vaccination supplies to prevent further loss of life.
“Despite nationwide shortage of measles vaccines, UNICEF, WHO, and the Kaduna State government are intensifying efforts at securing and delivering doses to affected areas,” she added.
Dr. Birukila called on parents, religious and traditional leaders, and all stakeholders to encourage full participation in immunisation drives to save lives.
Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, confirmed that immediate steps had been taken to strengthen disease surveillance and launch emergency re-vaccination campaigns.
Ikara also highlighted the critical role of community sensitisation efforts, revealing that many mothers had previously been unable to immunise their children without the approval of heads of households.
Health officials warn that unless urgent action is taken, the outbreak could spread rapidly throughout the local government area, putting hundreds more children at risk especially as the state has a long history of vaccine hesitancy.