Stop Attaching Spirituality To Measles, It’s Contagious Disease, UNICEF Tells Nigerians

ABEOKUTA  – The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerians to take proactive measures in tackling the spread of the endemic disease, measles rather than attributing it to metaphysical power.

UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Consultant, Dr. Pita Obam disclosed this last week in Abeokuta, at a one-day meeting of the State Social Mobilisation and Technical Committee (S-SOMTEC) organized by Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy in conjunction with UNICEF.

Dr. Obam identified low immunization, declining herd immunity, and waning immunity among factors responsible for the continuous occurrence of outbreaks of measles, cholera, Mpox, and other diseases in Nigeria.

He said the spiritual myth surrounding the spread of measles in Africa was untrue.

He said there was need to protect children through vaccination, appealing to all stakeholders, particularly parents to make their children available for vaccination during the forthcoming measles vaccination campaign in the state which has been scheduled to begin from September 19 to September 25, 2024.

Obam, who is a UNICEF Consultant, said that the issues of misinformation, misconception, and vaccination hesitancy, which often lead to low vaccination, have continued to worsen the situation.

He called for concerted efforts to ensure quality and full participation in the soon – to – commence measles campaign and sensitization in the state.

He noted that prevention and adopting the right response approach remained the appropriate ways to tackle measles, cholera, Mpox, and other communicable diseases in the event of any outbreak.

Obam said, “All stakeholders must support in creating awareness and the dissemination of key messages through official channels.

“They must also help in countering rumours of vaccine safety, engage in supportive supervision, and resolve non-compliance.”

The consultant described measles as a highly contagious disease and can lead to infant mortality if not properly handled.

”The target age is that of children between nine and 59 months(five years), and they are expected to complete their childhood immunisation at a health facility to eliminate ‘zero dose children’,” he said.

Another resource person, Dr Olubukola Omotoso, gave a breakdown of the situation of cholera outbreak in the state.

Omotoso said 11 local government areas, including Ikenne, Remo North, Abeokuta North, Ijebu North, and Ado – Odo – Ota, out of the 20 local governments in the state recorded cases of cholera outbreak.

She gave a cumulative number of 135 reported cases since the outbreak, with 131 treated and discharged.

According to her, there were four recorded deaths since the outbreak.

“As of Monday, the cumulative number of reported cases since the outbreak is 135 and cumulative number of deaths is four.

“We have 131 cases discharged from our facilities and no new reported case of cholera in Ogun,” she said.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Waheed Adesina, said that the state government had continued to ensure that mothers and children, regardless of their social standings, receive all maternal and infant interventions.
Adesina commended UNICEF and other stakeholders for their continued support and dedication to the health and well-being of the citizens of Ogun State and Nigeria.

“This commitment aligns perfectly with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasize inclusivity and the well-being of all individuals.

“You will recall that in the last two months, our state experienced an outbreak of cholera, resulting in a few unfortunate fatalities.

“The state government responded swiftly to the outbreak and successfully curtailed its spread.

“However, we recognize that our work is far from over. We are now focused on implementing preventive measures to avert any future resurgence of this disease.”

THE ENCOUNTER NEWS reports that over 50 million measles deaths have been prevented through vaccinations since 2000, according to the World Health Organization.

Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases in the world. It infects the immune cells, and once attached, the virus quickly spreads all over the body, affects the respiratory system, and causes a cough that can pass the virus to others. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their weak immune response.

According to physicians, “One infected child can spread the virus – causing measle to between 9 and 12 other unvaccinated children.”