Kogi State Ministry of health has described a report of an outbreak of Measles in the state as misleading and confusing.
The News of the Outbreak have been circulated in some part of the electronic media that there is a report of over 50 cases of measles in Kogi state.
In a statement signed by the Health Commissioner, Dr. Zakari Usman, the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction in the report that is making rounds for over 48 hours.
The statement reads “it is important for me to address you this time as part of our continuous effort of informing the public of our drive in addressing various health challenges and giving out the right information as regards the health indices of the state.
You will recall that in the last 2 days some section of electronic media have erroneously reported outbreak of measles in the state, therefore it is important for us as a ministry to put the record straight as there Is no such outbreak currently ongoing in the state.
The misinformation must have arisen from measles sensitization program held last week by the state Primary Health Care development Agency during which the agency gave the statistics of measles cases reported in the state from January to date. It was a cumulative record of cases ever reported within the period of nine months (January to September). As we speak, there is no active case of measles in the State.”
The Commissioner advised residents and citizens of Kogi State to disregard the report of purported outbreak of measles affecting 52 persons in the state by some electronic and print media.
Dr Zakari said “We will continue to collaborate and interface with the media in our usual way of informing the public of our health programs as well as giving out the right information as regards disease outbreaks in the state.”
He however warn rumour peddlers to desist as circulating misleading information about Kogi State Government and all her agencies will not be tolerated.
