Measles outbreak at IDP camps in Niger
An outbreak of measles has been reported in some temporary Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, most of the measles cases were recorded in the temporary IDPs Camp at Kwatai, a village in Shiroro LGA of the state.
Kokki said the outbreak had worsened the living conditions of the IDPs who had been impoverished as a result of sustained insecurity that compelled them to seek refuge at the banks of River Kaduna which passes through Shiroro local government.
“The combined factors of untidy, inhabitable and unhygienic nature of the camps could have aided and abetted the outbreak. And with the current weather conditions, if appropriate preventive measures are not taken by the authorities concerned, the outbreak of other contagious and communicable diseases such as chicken pox, cholera among others could follow.
“It is a huge understatement to aver that, these IDPs are vulnerable and prone to all sorts of miseries including but not limited to diseases. It is in the light of the unfolding development that I’m passionately appealing to the authorities concerned to urgently come to the aid of affected victims,” he said.
He also disclosed that three people, two females and a male, were on Wednesday morning kidnapped at Maguga in Bassa/Kukoki Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area.
“Up till this moment, their whereabouts is not known. Reports indicate that the victims had gone to fetch some foodstuffs for their upkeep since that of government is not forthcoming and unfortunately for them, they ran out of luck. Let it be stressed that these people have for quite a long time been surviving without any assistance from government.
“It has been a sad norm that these criminals attack their victims at will, unfortunately and ironically without the slightest hindrance, resistance or confrontation from the authorities concerned.
“Sadly too, defenceless, unarmed and peaceful locals have been abandoned to their fate, wallowing in perpetual agony,” he said.
In a related development, the state has record some cases of avian influenza in a cluster of poultry farms.
The Information Officer, Niger State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Abubakar Adamu Kuta, disclosed this in Minna, the state capital.
He said thousands of birds worth millions of Naira have so far been lost to the disease stressing that avian influenza is of serious public health and socioeconomic importance as it affects man and animals.