Rising Measles Cases in Nigeria: Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and Insecurity, Vaccination Efforts falter

Since 2000, more than 50 million measles deaths have been prevented through immunization efforts worldwide. However, insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic have left many Nigerian children vulnerable to diseases like measles. In just over a week, at least 42 people have died from a measles outbreak in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Adamawa. This was recorded from nearly 200 suspected cases.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects children under the age of five. It can be prevented with two doses of vaccine. Early symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, and rashes all over the body. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria has exacerbated the challenges in managing disease outbreaks like measles. Field teams are working to contain the situation by administering measles vaccines in two local government areas where the outbreak has predominantly affected.

Doctors Without Borders reported difficulties in achieving the necessary 95 percent vaccination rate to suppress measles, leading to an increase in cases treated last year. Maiduguri is one area where health workers face challenges in reaching rural communities due to security issues and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. MSF treated 3,965 patients between October and December, attributing the rise to these challenges. One infected child can potentially infect between nine to twelve others, making it important for everyone to be vaccinated against this preventable disease.