Measles: Nigeria records over 19,213 cases, 153 deaths in 11 months — NCDC

Nigeria recorded 19,213 confirmed measles cases and 153 deaths between January and November 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The agency said the confirmed cases were recorded from 26,866 suspected cases reported across 507 local government areas (LGAs) in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The NCDC disclosed the figures in its measles situation report released to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that causes fever, red rash, cough and red eyes.

It spreads through coughing, sneezing, close personal contact and respiratory secretions.

The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

• 10 killed in Jos-Bauchi road crash
• Alleged alteration of tax laws is treason, Atiku tells Tinubu
• Alleged N4.6bn fraud: EFCC arraigns Bauchi Finance Commissioner
• APC National Chairman appoints SAs, SSAs
• Anambra clarifies claims on Christmas decorations 

The report showed that five states accounted for most suspected cases during the 11-month period.

Borno recorded 7,968 cases, Zamfara 4,779, Yobe 2,076, Bauchi 1,574 and Kebbi 1,357, representing 66.1 percent of all suspected cases nationwide.

Of the suspected cases reported, 19,213, representing 71.51 percent, were confirmed.

This included 2,791 laboratory-confirmed cases, 2,013 epidemiologically linked cases and 14,409 clinically compatible cases.

Another 6,440 cases were discarded, while 1,213 remained pending classification.

Children aged nine to 59 months were the most affected, accounting for 9,399 cases, or 48.92 per cent of all confirmed infections.

The NCDC said the 153 deaths recorded among confirmed cases translated to a case fatality rate of 0.8 per cent.

The report also raised concern over low vaccination coverage. It said 14,801 confirmed cases, representing 77.04 per cent, had not received any dose of the measles vaccine.

In November alone, 71 suspected cases were reported, with Delta, Kwara, Bayelsa, Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states accounting for more than half of the total.

Only one case was confirmed during the month, while no deaths were recorded from confirmed cases.

A total of 188 LGAs across 27 states recorded measles outbreaks between January and November.

As of the end of November, only Eti-Osa LGA in Lagos State had an ongoing outbreak, while outbreaks in 187 LGAs had ended.

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp

[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']