Surge in infections leaves 24 children dead; over 1,600 suspected cases reported across 11 wards
In response to a deadly outbreak of measles in Zamfara State, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched an emergency vaccination campaign in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA), in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and local authorities.
The six-day campaign, which began on Tuesday, targets children between the ages of six months and five years—following reports of rising infections and a death toll of 24 children, the majority of whom were unvaccinated and under five.
MSF’s Field Communication Officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu, confirmed that more than 1,600 suspected measles cases have been recorded across all 11 wards in Zurmi as of early May, exceeding epidemic thresholds. Many affected children were also battling underlying conditions such as malaria, eye infections, and severe malnutrition, which worsened their prognosis. The reported case fatality rate currently stands at 1.2%.
“The campaign’s primary objective is to curb the spread of measles and prevent further child deaths,” Yakubu said. “In addition, MSF teams are conducting malnutrition screenings using MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) measurements and referring severely undernourished children to nearby treatment centers.”
To ensure broad coverage, MSF is deploying a combination of fixed posts and mobile units to reach remote and underserved communities. The target is to vaccinate at least 95% of eligible children in order to halt transmission and protect vulnerable populations.
Communities hardest hit by the outbreak include Zurmi town, Dauran Birnin Tsaba, Mayasa Kuturu, and Rukudawa—areas where routine immunization access is limited and healthcare services are scarce.
A prior campaign in June 2024 reached just 59% of the target population due to vaccine supply issues and security challenges.
MSF Head of Mission, Abdullahi Mohammed Ali, described the crisis as a “double emergency,” citing both rising measles infections and worsening child malnutrition.
“We are seeing a dangerous combination of disease and hunger. Children in Zurmi are at high risk and need urgent attention,” he said.
A nutrition screening conducted by MSF in June 2024 showed that over 25% of children in Zurmi were undernourished, with more than 4% classified as severely malnourished—well above World Health Organisation emergency thresholds.
Yakubu noted that the MSF-supported treatment facility at Zurmi General Hospital continues to see a surge in admissions of malnourished children suffering from measles and related complications.
MSF is calling on government agencies, humanitarian partners, and the wider health community to support the campaign and ensure all children in the affected region receive life-saving care and protection.