Adamawa officials reported at least 42 deaths out of nearly 200 suspected cases of measles. The outbreak primarily affected two local government areas, prompting health commissioner Felix Tangwami to announce that measles vaccines had been distributed to the affected areas and field teams were working to contain the situation. Measles is a highly contagious virus that mainly impacts children under the age of five and can be prevented with two doses of vaccine. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, rashes, and bumps all over the body.
Challenges in vaccination campaigns arise due to widespread insecurity in northern Nigerian states, including disruptions from groups like Boko Haram and criminal gangs. These security concerns have forced 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, leading to a rise in measles cases. Health workers face challenges in reaching rural communities, hindering vaccination efforts and contributing to virus spread among unvaccinated children. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) highlighted the need for a 95 percent vaccination rate to suppress measles and prevent further outbreaks.
