FCTA dismisses measles outbreak claims in Abuja

The FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat has refuted claims of a measles outbreak in Damagaza community in Abuja Municipal Area council (AMAC), which it was alleged, resulted in the death of 10 children. The secretariat, which described the report as false and misleading, traced its origin to a story by the NAN that was […]

The FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat has refuted claims of a measles outbreak in Damagaza community in Abuja Municipal Area council (AMAC), which it was alleged, resulted in the death of 10 children.

The secretariat, which described the report as false and misleading, traced its origin to a story by the NAN that was later spread by other media outlets.

The FCTAs Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said a multi-sectoral team was dispatched to Damagaza to investigate the claim but found that it was false.

She said the team engaged with the mai anguwa (community head), women leader and other stakeholders and that the investigation revealed that the community head was unaware of such deaths, and that there was no evidence to substantiate the claim, adding that the names of the alleged deceased children, their parents and their addresses could not be found.

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She said many of the names listed were of individuals who died three to five years ago.

Dr Fasawe emphasised that measles could only be diagnosed by a professional after laboratory investigation; which she said was not done in the case.

She criticised the news outlet for announcing an outbreak without consulting health officials, adding that the village head, along with other key informants in the community, debunked the rumour, further reinforcing the falsehood of the report.

Dr Fasawe stated: “The FCTA is emphatically declaring that the rumour of 10 deaths due to a measles outbreak in Damagaza community is false. We urge all citizens to disregard these publications and continue their daily activities without fear.”