BREAKING: Measles outbreak hits Borno as MSF treats over 1,158 cases

Following the outbreak of measles that hit Maiduguri, no fewer than 1,158 children are undergoing treatment.

According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also known as Doctors Without Borders, most of the patients were admitted at Gwange Paediatric hospital, which is managed by MSF.

However, statistics have it that 58% of the children admitted to the hospital are from Zabarmari, a volatile small settlement of about 45,000 people located 20km away from Maiduguri.

“The first child affected by measles was admitted in Gwange Paediatric hospital on 3rd December 2020 and the number of patients has been increasing since then in Maiduguri hospitals,” adding: “A vaccination campaign is required to see the number of cases decrease.”

Moreso, the report has it that MSF launched an aggressive response to the outbreak by strengthening the hospitalisation capacity in Gwange.

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Narrating her experience, Kubura Mohammed whose daughter was diagnosed with measles in the pediatric hospital said:

“My daughter has been ill for six days before I brought her to the hospital. The medical team was all around my daughter throughout our first night because her condition was really critical.

‘’Her treatment commenced from the moment she was admitted and this includes blood transfusion and the administration of intravenous fluids.

“The care we are receiving here is completely free. We appreciate what MSF is doing in our community and I must add that about two weeks ago, one of my daughters was also treated for measles in this hospital. All of my seven children have had measles at different times.’’