Nigeria record 26,866 measles cases, 153 deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed that, as of Tuesday, December 23, in Abuja, Nigeria recorded 26,866 suspected measles cases and 153 deaths between January and November 2025.

This was contained in the NCDC’s measles situation report, which stated that the country had recorded 153 deaths from the infectious disease as of November 2025.

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

It can be contracted through coughing and sneezing, contact with respiratory secretions or aerosols, or close personal contact.

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

The period of greatest infectiousness occurs four days before the onset of rash and four days after it appears.

The report stated, “In November 2025, Delta (13), Kwara (six), Bayelsa (six), Jigawa (six), and Akwa Ibom (five) accounted for 50.7 per cent of the 71 suspected cases reported.

“Of the suspected cases reported, 1 (1.41 per cent) was confirmed (1 lab-confirmed; 0 epi-linked; 0 clinically compatible), 7 (9.86 per cent) were discarded, and 63 (88.73 per cent) were pending.

“A total of 47 LGAs across 20 states reported at least one suspected case. Zero deaths were recorded from confirmed cases.”

The report noted that from January to November 2025, Borno (7,968), Zamfara (4,779), Yobe (2,076), Bauchi (1,574), and Kebbi (1,357) accounted for 66.10 per cent of the 26,866 suspected cases reported.

Of the suspected cases reported, 19,213 (71.51 per cent) were confirmed (2,791 lab-confirmed, 2,013 epi-linked, and 14,409 clinically compatible), 6,440 (23.78 per cent) were discarded, and 1,213 (3.38 per cent) were pending classification.

“The age group 9–59 months accounted for 9,399 (48.92 per cent) of all confirmed cases. A total of 153 deaths (CFR = 0.8 per cent) were recorded among confirmed cases.

“Up to 14,801 (77.04 per cent) of the 19,213 confirmed cases did not receive any dose of the measles vaccine (‘zero dose’),” it added.

According to the report, a total of 188 LGAs across 27 states recorded measles outbreaks from January to November 2025.