FCT : Alleged Measles Outbreak In Damagaza Community, False – Dr Fasawe

The FCT Administration says the alleged rumours of 10 deaths as a result of measles outbreak in Damagaza community is false.

Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe who stated this in Abuja while reacting to a recent news publication in some news media that measles killed 10 in Abuja, said FCT surveillance system is sensitive and active to prevent, detect or control outbreaks.

Dr Fasawe called on all citizens in the FCT to disregard the publications as fake news, pointing out that the investigating team that visited Damagaza Community, were shocked to discover that the Chief of Damagaza, the Women leader, and the officials of Primary Healthcare Center in the community said they are not aware of such a case.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe explained that measles is a vaccine preventable disease, and a diagnosis of measles can only be made by a professional after a laboratory confirmation.

While Dr Fasawe appealed to news media platforms to always verify their reports from relevant Authorities, she warned NGOs and Community based organisations to desist from dishing out misinformation capable of causing panic in the territory.

“We reassure all citizens that the FCT surveillance system is sensitive and active to prevent, detect or control outbreaks .We appeal to all news agencies to investigate every report thoroughly and substantiate reports through the right authorities before publishing.

“We also send a strong message to all NGOs and Community-based organizations working in FCT to desist from setting up parallel surveillance structures in the communities and to desist from raising false alarm thereby causing panic in the communities for their organizational gains”.

“Henceforth, any unsubstantiated report will not be tolerated by the government and purveyor of such misinformation will be sanctioned” Fasawe warned.

According to Dr Fasawe, “In response to this news report, a multi sectoral team comprising of the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Board, the Director of Public Health, the State Epidemiologist, the State DSNO, Director PHC-PHCB, the AMAC Director PHC and other members of the Municipal Area Council Team and other high level officials went to Damagaza community to investigate and carry out due diligence.

“The team engaged with the community Head, the Mai Anguwa, the Women Leader, the Community volunteer and other significant key informants in the community”.

“The community head stated emphatically that he was unaware of these rumoured deaths. The health investigating team was unable to substantiate the rumours.

“The names of the (alleged dead) children, their parents, and their addresses could not be confirmed. Many of the names listed were not identifiable, and some were demised 3 to 5 years ago,” Fasawe noted.

By Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji