About 42 die from measles outbreak in northeast Nigeria
At least 42 deaths have been recorded from a measles outbreak in just over a week in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Adamawa, the state’s health commissioner said on Friday.
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that mostly affects children under the age of 5. It can be prevented by two doses of vaccine and more than 50 million deaths have been averted since 2000, according to the World Health Organisation.
Felix Tangwami, the Adamawa health commissioner, said the measles outbreak had mostly affected two local government areas where 42 deaths were recorded out of nearly 200 suspected cases.
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“Measles vaccines have been released to those areas and our field teams are containing the situation,” he said at a media briefing.
Widespread insecurity in many northern Nigerian states is often blamed for disruption of vaccination campaigns, leaving children particularly vulnerable.
Causes of Measles Outbreak in Northeast Nigeria
According to health experts, the measles outbreak in northeast Nigeria can be attributed to several key factors:
Low Vaccination Coverage: One of the primary causes of the measles outbreak is the low vaccination coverage in the region. The inability of public health actors to achieve the 95 percent vaccination rate required to suppress measles has left many individuals vulnerable to the virus.
Disruptions in Vaccination Campaigns: Widespread insecurity in many northern Nigerian states, including attacks by groups like Boko Haram and criminal gangs, has led to disruptions in vaccination campaigns. These disruptions make it challenging for health workers to access rural communities and administer vaccines effectively.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in the measles outbreak by disrupting health systems and vaccination programs. The technical complications and interruptions in routine childhood vaccinations during the pandemic have further exacerbated the situation.
Diphtheria Outbreak and Malaria Season: The concurrent diphtheria outbreak and an extended malaria season have added additional strain on the healthcare system in northern Nigeria. The lack of long-term efforts to increase vaccination coverage has contributed to these outbreaks.
Malnutrition: Measles can worsen malnutrition among children, especially in regions where access to nutritious food is limited. The degenerative impact of measles on the gastrointestinal lining, coupled with diarrhea, further suppresses immunity and leads to higher levels of malnutrition.
Complex Security Situation: The complex security situation in northern Nigeria has made it difficult for healthcare workers to reach affected populations and deliver essential healthcare services, including vaccinations.
Funding Cuts and Neglect of Public Health Infrastructure: Significant funding cuts by international donors, combined with neglect of public health infrastructure, have hampered efforts to control outbreaks like measles in Nigeria.