Fear and confusion have gripped Mbutu Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the death of at least six children from a mysterious illness. The affected children were said to be between the ages of one and six.
The Executive Chairman of the Council, Barrister Henry Alaribe, confirmed the outbreak in a statement issued on Tuesday through his spokesman, Dike Godspower. He disclosed that although the source of the illness is yet to be confirmed, new suspected cases have been reported.
In a swift response, the council has shut down all schools in the area and suspended the Children’s Day celebration scheduled for May 27 to prevent further spread of the disease. Parents have also been advised to vaccinate their children without delay.
Alaribe revealed that details of the affected children, including their names, ages, and parents’ contact information, have been forwarded to Governor Hope Uzodimma. He said designated health centers in the area have been turned into isolation centres, while teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Imo State Ministry of Health are already on ground.
“Just this morning, we received reports of another possible death. We are yet to confirm that, but we are not taking chances. WHO officials are now in the community to help us manage the situation,” Alaribe said.
The chairman urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with health officials. He stressed the importance of vaccinations in protecting children from preventable diseases.
Meanwhile, the strange illness has sparked widespread panic in the community. Residents are reportedly moving their children out of Mbutu to safer areas as fear of more deaths grows.
Local health workers, supported by WHO and the Department of Disease Prevention and Control, have started an investigation into the cause of the outbreak. Officials are working with the state government to contain the situation and restore normalcy.
Authorities are encouraging parents to monitor their children closely and report any unusual symptoms to the nearest health centre. While the exact nature of the illness remains unknown, efforts are ongoing to identify and stop its spread.
