Measles, a highly contagious virus that primarily affects children under the age of five, has caused at least 42 deaths out of nearly 200 suspected cases in Adamawa state. Health commissioner Felix Tangwami announced that measles vaccines had been distributed to the affected areas and field teams were working to contain the situation.
The World Health Organization reports that over 50 million measles deaths have been prevented through vaccinations since 2000. However, challenges in vaccination campaigns arise due to widespread insecurity in northern Nigerian states, with disruptions leaving children vulnerable. Groups like Boko Haram and criminal gangs have deepened security concerns in the region, forcing millions of people to flee their homes in one of the world’s ongoing humanitarian crises.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained the health system and vaccination programs in Nigeria, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This disruption has led to a rise in measles cases, with reports of treating thousands of patients between October and December. Health workers face challenges in reaching rural communities, hindering vaccination efforts and contributing to virus spread among unvaccinated children. MSF highlighted the need to achieve a 95 percent vaccination rate to suppress measles and prevent further outbreaks.