Panic in Lekki as Strange Disease Kills 25 Children

It is panic and apprehension in Gbame Community in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos state as a strange disease killing children has thrown the community in deep mourning.

Otodo-Gbame Community in Ikate, Lekki

 

Residents of Otodo-Gbame Community in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos State are on panic mode after about 25 children died suddenly of a strange disease.

 

The disease which started wrecking havoc in January of 2016 is yet to be identified by doctors. It was gathered that the disease leaves the affected children with rashes similar to measles, and the kids usually die two or three days after.

 

It was gathered that the disease has killed children from many families in the area since January. Some families have lost close to two or three children since the disease surfaced.

 

Health workers are working round the clock to see that something is done to curtail the spread as immunization of children has commenced. Punch reports that two children lost their lives in the front of the health workers.

 

According to a mother identified as Anago Benedict who lost three of her children to the disease, she said apart from the rashes on their bodies, they also vomited blood before they died.

 

She said, “My children fell sick in the first week of February. The disease is ravaging our area, and we did not have anyone to run to.

“My children were killed by the disease. They were vomiting blood. I did not know what name to call the disease.”

 

Also, another woman whose child died some days ago, said her daughter was sick for towo days before she died.

 

Stella Paul said: “Her name was Esther. She was two years old. She died on Wednesday in the presence of the health workers. She was sick for only two days. I have three children. Esther was the youngest. Emmanuel is the first.”

 

Speaking on the matter, state Ministry of Health officials said it had sent epidemiologists to the community to verify the outbreak.

 

The ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Adeola Salako, said the blood samples and other body fluids of children with suspected cases had been collected for examination.