Measles Outbreak Claims Two Lives, Sickens 20 In Kaduna’s Zaria LGA

Tragedy struck Ungwa Kanawa in the Tankarau area of Dutsen-Abba Ward, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where two children have been confirmed dead and over 20 others sick following a measles outbreak.

The grim discovery came during a health outreach commemorating the African Vaccination and World Immunisation Week, which runs from April 24 to April 30, 2025, under the theme: “Vaccination for All is Humanly Possible.”

The visit, aimed at boosting immunization coverage and monitoring the ongoing polio campaign, also served to assess the impact of mobile outreach efforts in zero-dose wards and LGAs as part of Nigeria’s push for stronger primary healthcare integration.

Confirming the outbreak, Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, Director of Disease Control at the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, expressed concern over the community’s low immunization rates.

“As you witnessed during our committee meeting, many children here have fallen victim to measles because they either missed routine immunizations or have never received a single vaccine dose,” Ikara said.

He pointed to widespread vaccine hesitancy and parental non-compliance as key drivers of the outbreak. Despite repeated visits by outreach teams, many parents refused to allow their children to be vaccinated, he added.

“In this community, we’ve engaged extensively with household heads to understand their resistance. Fortunately, through persistent sensitization, we’ve now secured their consent,” Ikara explained.

In an urgent response to the outbreak, he said the Local Government Surveillance Officer has been instructed to ramp up surveillance and ensure no symptomatic child is overlooked. Vaccines have been dispatched from the state supply to the local government for immediate re-vaccination efforts.

“Our vaccination teams will be on the ground today (Saturday) at 4 p.m. to begin the immunization drive. Our goal is to halt the spread quickly, not just in Ungwan Kanawa but throughout the entire LGA,” he assured

Adding her voice, Dr. Gerida Birukila, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Kaduna, also confirmed the measles outbreak in the community and emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive immunization coverage to prevent further loss of life.

The outbreak starkly highlights the critical importance of vaccination programs, especially in hard-to-reach and underserved areas, as health officials work tirelessly to contain the spread and save young lives.