Five Children Die in Kaduna as Measles Outbreak Ravages Communit
A measles outbreak has devastated the Unguwar Kanawa community in Tankarau, Dutsen Abba Ward of Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, leading to the deaths of five children and leaving more than 20 others seriously ill.
The outbreak, which has unsettled residents and overwhelmed local health services, has been linked to widespread vaccine rejection among community members.
According to village head, Nasiru Yunusa, many families had previously resisted immunizing their children due to misconceptions and mistrust.
“Two-thirds of our people didn’t like vaccinating their children because of false beliefs,” he said. “But now, with the sickness and deaths we are witnessing, many are changing their attitude.”
Health authorities confirmed that most of the affected children either had never received any immunizations or missed recent measles vaccination campaigns.
Dr. Hamza Ikara, Director of Disease Control at the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, stressed that despite outreach efforts, vaccine hesitancy remained a major obstacle.
“Many parents refused or were reluctant to comply with vaccination exercises,” he said.
In response to the escalating crisis, emergency response teams have been deployed to Unguwar Kanawa, supported by the Kaduna State Government and partners like UNICEF. Mass immunization campaigns have begun, and temporary health clinics have been set up to manage and treat new cases.
The outbreak coincides with African Vaccination/World Immunisation Week, which started on April 24, 2025, under the theme: “Vaccination for all is Humanly Possible.” Health officials are using this moment to renew calls for parents to prioritize the immunization of their children, stressing that vaccines are safe and critical to preventing deadly diseases like measles.
The Kaduna State Government has also pledged to intensify public health education efforts and improve healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where vaccine coverage remains low.
As the community mourns the loss of its young ones, there is a growing realization that greater trust in healthcare interventions and improved public health awareness are urgently needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
