ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen children have been confirmed killed following an outbreak of measles in Nigeria's northern state of Borno, local authorities said on Friday.
In a statement reaching Xinhua, the Borno State Primary Health Care Agency said the airborne disease has spread across 25 local council areas in the state.
The disease, a leading killer in developing countries like Nigeria, is showing a steady rise in Borno, with 4,693 people already infected, the government agency said.
"Thirteen council areas are most affected by measles in 33 wards," the statement said.
On Thursday, Babagana Abiso, a director of disease control in the state, said efforts were ongoing to contain the spread of the disease.
Measles is a childhood infection caused by a virus. It can be serious and even fatal for small children.
Abiso said due to the outbreak, 1.7 million kids are to be immunized against the disease.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) would provide technical support for the 10-day immunization exercise, the official said.
"Immunization remains one of the most effective ways to protect children from killer diseases," he said, explaining that children of ages six months to 10 years are targeted for the immunization.
