Measles outbreak in Nigeria is on the rise despite the early warning by United Nation Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO). Nigeria is been rated among India, Ethiopia, Somalia, Liberia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Congo, Cameroon and Indonesia as nations with high prevalence of measles.
According to the report, 17,334 measles cases were reported worldwide this year. Among these countries, Nigeria continues to experience recurrent measles outbreak. For instance, Borno state has recorded 5,902 total cases of measles this year , while Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Anambra and Rivers accounted for 55.2 percent of the 19,033 suspected cases reported.
Recently in Rivers state an outbreak of measles was reported in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers state. The incident was first reported in Kugbo , where it spread to Amurouttoru leading to the death of several children in three communities of the LGA.
Dr Elli Sokarimie the Executive Director of Mother Baby and Adolescent Global Health Foundation is of the opinion that lack of surveillance, failure to immunize and low sensitization are responsible for the return of measles in the area.
Rivers state have the lowest prevalence of measles infection among Nigeria states.
Currently Nigeria ranked number one in global measles outbreak with 19,033 cases, followed by India with 6578, while Ethiopia is rated third with 4081. Somalia with 3822 cases, Liberia 3183, Afghanistan 3096, Pakistan 2333 cases, Congo 1975, Cameroon 1401 and Indonesia 1384.
