Northern states record highest suspected measles cases – NCDC

Several northern states, including Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Sokoto, have recorded the highest number of suspected measles cases in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The agency reported 627 suspected cases across 30 states and 213 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as of January 31, 2025.

Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja that this figure marks a significant decrease from the 2,157 cases recorded in January 2024.

According to Idris, the measles situation report for Epidemiological Week 7 (February 10–16, 2025) shows that 112 of the suspected cases (17.86 per cent) have been laboratory-confirmed, with no deaths recorded.

This is a significant improvement compared to the same period in 2024, when 23 confirmed measles deaths resulted in a case fatality rate of 0.96 per cent.

The states with the highest number of suspected cases include Katsina (102), Jigawa (84), Akwa Ibom (56), Kebbi (52), and Enugu (32), collectively accounting for over half of the national total.

Idris emphasised that 81.3 percent of confirmed cases involved individuals who had not received any dose of the measles vaccine, revealing a critical gap in immunisation coverage.

Further analysis showed that nearly half (46.4 per cent) of confirmed cases occurred in children aged nine to 59 months.

“As of January 31, 38 LGAs across 18 states were experiencing active measles outbreaks, with Katsina leading with seven LGAs. Other states with multiple outbreak-affected LGAs include Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Sokoto, each reporting three affected LGAs,” Idris stated.

He reiterated that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles.

The measles-containing vaccine, typically administered as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, is given in two doses at nine months and 15 months, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) guidelines.

Strengthening routine immunisation in high-risk areas, early detection and rapid response to suspected cases, and public health awareness campaigns are key to curbing the spread of measles.

Idris urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the recommended vaccine doses. He also highlighted the importance of improved surveillance and outbreak response to prevent further spread.

Idris called for greater community engagement, enhanced vaccine accessibility, and stronger collaboration between health agencies and local communities to eliminate measles.

He encouraged Nigerians to stay informed through official health updates and participate in vaccination campaigns.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes measles as a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for hours, making transmission highly effective.

Measles symptoms typically start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a widespread body rash.

Severe complications can include pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis), and, in some cases, death, particularly among unvaccinated children and those with weakened immune systems.