Adamawa Battles Measles Crisis: 42 Children Dead, Schools Shut Down

Adamawa State has confirmed the deaths of 42 children due to a measles outbreak, leading to the immediate closure of all primary and secondary schools across the state.

The outbreak, which was first reported on April 28, 2024, has struck the northeast Nigerian state, particularly affecting areas within the Mubi North and Gombi local government areas.

According to Felix Tangwami, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, the outbreak has been identified in eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi. The toll stands at 42 fatalities out of 131 and 177 affected individuals in the respective areas.

In response to the crisis, the Adamawa State Government, led by Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development Dr. Umar Garba Pella, has taken decisive action. All primary and secondary schools, both public and private, have been ordered to close immediately.

Dr. Pella affirmed the closure, stating, “This order, which takes immediate effect, will last for one week as we monitor the situation.”