A mysterious illness has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 60 pupils within a week in the Mbutu community of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, prompting the immediate closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the area for seven days.
The affected area, Mbutu Mbaise, comprises four autonomous communities: Mbutu Ancient Kingdom, Mbutu Nweorie, Mbutu Ukwu, and Mbutu Nwenkwo.
Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Mr. Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe, confirmed the development in a statement issued via the Mbutu Mbaise Peoples Assembly (MMPA) platform on Sunday, May 26. He said the swift closure of schools was a precautionary measure to prevent further spread of the unidentified disease.
“In response to this situation, the Executive Chairman has ordered the temporary closure of all nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Mbutu for seven days. This measure aims to curb the spread of the disease and safeguard the lives of our children,” Alaribe stated.
He further revealed that children from the affected communities were excluded from this year’s Children’s Day celebrations on May 27 as a precaution.
Medical teams from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Imo State Ministry of Health’s Department of Disease Prevention and Control, and Aboh Mbaise health officials are currently investigating the outbreak and working to contain it.
“Plans are underway to collaborate with the state government and relevant agencies to manage the outbreak and ensure the safety of our people,” Alaribe added.
He urged parents who have not vaccinated their children to do so immediately, stressing that immunization remains a crucial preventive tool against deadly diseases.
While calling for calm, the council chairman appealed for public cooperation with medical personnel and assured residents that more updates would be provided as investigations progress.
