The Kano State Ministry of Health has vehemently denied reports of a measles outbreak in the Kano Municipal local government area. Dr. Imam Wada Bello, the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, clarified that the necessary procedures and investigations required to declare an outbreak were not conducted in the area. He urged the public to disregard the news, stating that there was no empirical or clinical evidence to support the claims.
The ministry, along with its Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) teams in all 44 LGAs, remains vigilant in monitoring and responding to public health threats. The Surveillance Outbreak Response and Management System (SORMAS) reported 697 suspected measles cases in 23 LGAs from January to March 2024, with Kano Municipal having the highest number of cases. However, laboratory tests on five samples from the area came back negative for measles.
Aliyu Jinjiri Kiru, the Primary Healthcare Coordinator for Kano Municipal, clarified that the reports of suspected measles cases were meant to alert stakeholders and seek support in case of a confirmed outbreak. He denied ever declaring an outbreak and attributed the misunderstanding to a misinterpretation of the information presented at the emergency response meeting.
The ministry reassured the public of its commitment to containing and managing public health threats, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of effective communication and coordination in public health emergencies.
