Six children between the ages of one and six have died in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, following an outbreak of an unidentified illness. The local council confirmed the deaths occurred in under one week, sparking concern among residents and health officials.
In response to the outbreak, Barrister Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe, Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, ordered the immediate closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the area for a period of seven days. This decision, communicated through his Chief Press Secretary, Dike Godspower, is aimed at preventing further spread and safeguarding children in the community.
Health workers from the local council, alongside officials from the Imo State Ministry of Health, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control, and representatives from the World Health Organization, are already on the ground investigating the cause of the illness. Authorities are urging parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, emphasizing the importance of immunization in preventing disease outbreaks.
The mayor of Mbutu Community, Dr. Leo Nwaigwe, has called for calm, assuring residents that health experts are actively assessing the situation. He confirmed that an official report has been submitted to relevant health authorities and that the state’s Epidemiology Division is scheduled to visit the Mbutu Health Centre for further evaluation.
Dr. Nwaigwe also advised parents to limit children’s movements between villages while investigations continue. He encouraged community members to stay calm, cooperate with health officials, and rely on both professional intervention and collective prayers to address the crisis.
