December 24, 2025 | SUNTV Global Channel – Health News
Nigeria has recorded 153 deaths from measles within the first 11 months of 2025, according to a latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The report revealed that 19,213 confirmed measles cases were recorded out of 26,866 suspected cases across 507 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as of November 2025.
The NCDC disclosed that the findings were contained in its measles situation report made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterised by fever, red skin rash, cough and inflamed eyes. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, close personal contact, or exposure to infected respiratory droplets. Health experts warn that the virus can remain active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making it especially dangerous in crowded settings.
According to the report, the most infectious period occurs four days before and four days after the appearance of the rash.
November Snapshot
In November 2025 alone, Delta (13 cases), Kwara (6), Bayelsa (6), Jigawa (6) and Akwa Ibom (5) accounted for 50.7 per cent of the 71 suspected cases reported nationwide.
Out of these suspected cases:
- 1 case (1.41%) was laboratory confirmed
- 7 cases (9.86%) were discarded
- 63 cases (88.73%) were still pending classification
A total of 47 LGAs across 20 states reported at least one suspected case in November, with no deaths recorded among confirmed cases during the month.
States With Highest Burden
From January to November 2025, five states accounted for over 66 per cent of all suspected cases:
- Borno – 7,968 cases
- Zamfara – 4,779
- Yobe – 2,076
- Bauchi – 1,574
- Kebbi – 1,357
Of the 26,866 suspected cases, the NCDC confirmed:
- 19,213 cases (71.51%) as measles
- 2,791 laboratory-confirmed
- 2,013 epidemiologically linked
- 14,409 clinically compatible
- 6,440 cases (23.78%) were discarded
- 1,213 cases (3.38%) remain unclassified
Children Most Affected
Children aged 9 to 59 months were the most affected, accounting for 9,399 cases (48.92%) of all confirmed infections.
The report recorded 153 deaths, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.8 per cent.
Vaccination Gap Raises Concern
Alarmingly, the NCDC noted that 14,801 confirmed cases (77.04%) occurred among individuals who had not received any dose of the measles vaccine, described as “zero-dose” cases.
The agency also revealed that 188 LGAs across 27 states experienced measles outbreaks between January and November 2025, highlighting persistent gaps in routine immunisation coverage.
Health authorities have continued to urge parents and caregivers to ensure children receive all recommended vaccines, warning that measles remains preventable yet deadly, especially among unvaccinated populations.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor and report developments on public health and disease outbreaks across Nigeria and beyond.
