Seven children were said to have died following an outbreak of measles at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp located at Abagena in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
One of the IDPs, Mr. Tyowua Orshio, whose two children were lying critical with measles, told Blueprint at the camp yesterday that the deaths were recorded in the past nine days the camp has been hit by the measles outbreak.
He said the camp officials have provided drugs for his sick children but the condition seemed not to be getting better.
“About seven children have died from measles in the camp and some are still lying critical with the ailment.
“If you go into the hostels you will see them. The disease seems to be spreading very fast,” he noted.
Another IDP, Sarah Tyohen, said about three pregnant women who were allegedly affected by the measles have had miscarriage.
But camp officials have said about 10 persons have died from accidents and other diseases but not necessarily from measles as claimed by the IDPs.
One of the camp health officials who is from Benue Non Governmental Organisations Network (BENGONET), Iorchir Terlumun, said a total of 23 children have been treated with measles in the camp.
“People have died from different ailments in the camp, some from accident, just yesterday a child fell from the upstairs and died but I don’t know of any death recorded from measles,” he added.
In an interview with newsmen, Chairman of Religious Freedom Coalition, William J. Murray, who came from USA to pay a visit to the IDPs in the state, expressed worry over the humanitarian situation in the state.
He said he was at the IDPs camp to take assessment of the situation and would return to speak with relevant organisations, who could render assistance to the IDPs.
