Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised concern over a major measles outbreak in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, reporting over 1,600 suspected cases across 11 wards, with 24 child deaths recorded so far in 2025.
According to Mr Abdullahi Mohammed Ali, MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria, the situation is deteriorating rapidly as children under five—many already suffering from malnutrition, malaria, and eye infections—face a compounded public health crisis.
Ali attributed the crisis to vaccine shortages and security challenges, which have severely disrupted routine immunisation campaigns.
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A vaccination exercise carried out in June 2024 managed to reach only 59 percent of eligible children, leaving a significant portion of the population unprotected.
“The children in Zurmi are facing a double crisis of disease and hunger, with high levels of malnutrition making them more susceptible to illness,” Ali said.
MSF, in partnership with the Zamfara State Ministry of Health, has since launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign to contain the outbreak.
The humanitarian organisation has called on all health partners and government authorities to urgently support the campaign and ensure full vaccination coverage for children in the affected communities.
Ali emphasised that beyond vaccinations, there is an urgent need to address the underlying health vulnerabilities, particularly malnutrition, which weakens children’s immune systems and increases the severity of measles and other illnesses.
MSF is currently providing clinical care, nutritional support, and health education in the area, while urging for greater investment in preventive healthcare to protect children in conflict-affected and underserved regions such as Zamfara.