THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that at least 153 people have died from measles across the country within an 11-month period, highlighting persistent gaps in immunisation coverage and public health surveillance.
News Point Nigeria reports that according to the agency, 19,213 confirmed measles cases were recorded out of 26,866 suspected cases between January and November 2025, spanning 507 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The data was contained in the NCDC’s latest measles situation report, released to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Measles is an acute and highly contagious viral disease characterised by fever, rash, cough and red eyes. The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, or exposure to respiratory droplets and aerosols.
Health experts note that the virus can remain active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making it particularly difficult to contain in crowded or poorly ventilated environments.
The period of highest infectiousness occurs from four days before the rash appears to four days after, increasing the risk of rapid community transmission.
The report showed that in November 2025, a total of 71 suspected cases were reported nationwide, with Delta (13), Kwara (six), Bayelsa (six), Jigawa (six) and Akwa Ibom (five) accounting for 50.7 per cent of the cases.
Of the suspected cases reported in November, one case (1.41 per cent) was confirmed through laboratory testing, seven cases (9.86 per cent) were discarded, while 63 cases (88.73 per cent) remained pending classification.
“A total of 47 LGAs across 20 states reported at least one suspected case in November. No deaths were recorded from confirmed cases during the month,” the NCDC stated.
From January to November 2025, five states accounted for over 66 per cent of all suspected cases nationwide. These were Borno (7,968 cases), Zamfara (4,779), Yobe (2,076), Bauchi (1,574) and Kebbi (1,357).
Out of the 26,866 suspected cases, 19,213 cases (71.51 per cent) were confirmed, comprising 2,791 laboratory-confirmed, 2,013 epidemiologically linked, and 14,409 clinically compatible cases. Meanwhile, 6,440 cases (23.78 per cent) were discarded, while 1,213 cases (3.38 per cent) were still awaiting 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 reported a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.8 per cent, with 153 deaths recorded among confirmed cases during the period.
One of the most concerning findings of the report was the low vaccination coverage among infected individuals. According to the NCDC, 14,801 cases (77.04 per cent) of all confirmed infections occurred in children who had not received a single dose of the measles vaccine, commonly referred to as “zero-dose” children.
Public health experts say the figure underscores persistent challenges with routine immunisation, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach communities.
The report revealed that 188 LGAs across 27 states experienced measles outbreaks between January and November 2025. However, by the end of November, 187 LGAs had successfully ended their outbreaks.
“In November, only Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State had an ongoing measles outbreak. No new outbreak was reported during the month,” the agency added.
In response to the outbreak, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on October 6, launched the Measles-Rubella vaccine introduction and integrated campaign, aimed at strengthening nationwide immunisation coverage.
Mrs Tinubu said the campaign is expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged nine months to under 15 years, to be implemented in two phases.
She described the initiative as the largest health campaign in Africa’s history, designed to protect millions of children and adolescents against measles, rubella and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
The integrated campaign also includes polio vaccination and the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adolescent girls, as part of broader efforts to reduce preventable childhood illnesses and deaths across Nigeria.