More than 200 children were suspected to have been affected by the measles outbreak in the district of Mubi North, said Felix Tangwami, who is the commissioner for health in Adamawa.

Official reports indicated that the 19 fatalities were caused by complications from the measles outbreak.

According to Tangwami, the development led to a quick mobilisation of medics and drugs to the affected communities.

He said children with severe infections would be referred to specialist hospitals.

Tangwami also blamed parents for refusing to have their children vaccinated accordingly since they were babies.

Measles is a viral infection common among children under five but easily preventable through vaccines. It spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.