Six children, all between the ages of one and six, have tragically died within a span of just seven days in the Mbutu community of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, triggering fears of a deadly disease outbreak in Imo State. This alarming development has prompted swift action from local authorities, with the Executive Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Barr. Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe, ordering the immediate closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Mbutu for one week.
The decision was made to contain the spread of the unidentified disease, which has so far shown a high mortality rate in children. As a direct precaution, pupils from Mbutu will also be excluded from participating in the Children’s Day Celebration slated for Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The measure, according to the local government, is a necessary sacrifice to safeguard other communities and prevent further loss of life.
Health officials from the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in the Imo State Ministry of Health are now working in tandem with experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Aboh Mbaise medical teams to trace the source of the disease and halt further transmission. An emergency response unit has also been activated to monitor symptoms and isolate potential cases.
Local health workers, under pressure to contain the spread, have begun door-to-door sensitization campaigns. While the cause remains under investigation, early symptoms reportedly include high fever, convulsions, and sudden collapse in affected children—although this has yet to be medically confirmed. Blood and fluid samples have been taken for urgent laboratory analysis.
Parents in Mbutu and surrounding communities have been urged to vaccinate their children immediately. The local government stressed that this outbreak is a clear reminder of the dangers posed by vaccine hesitancy and poor health surveillance. Vaccination points have now been extended into rural zones to make access easier and faster for all households.
Chairman Alaribe reassured citizens of the government’s readiness to collaborate with the state and federal health bodies to prevent a statewide health crisis. He emphasized the importance of calm, collective vigilance, and cooperation with medical personnel, urging citizens not to spread panic but instead follow verified information from health authorities.
Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, with health officials expected to release preliminary findings later this week. As fears rise over the mysterious illness, Aboh Mbaise becomes the latest LGA to confront the stark challenges of rural epidemics, underlining the urgency of healthcare investment in local communities.
