A measles outbreak has struck the Ungwa Kanawa community in the Tankarau area of Dutsen-Abba Ward, Zaria Local Government Area in Kaduna State, claiming the lives of two children and leaving more than 20 others sick. This alarming situation was discovered during a visit to the community, which was part of the activities marking the ongoing African Vaccination/World Immunisation Week. The event, which started on April 24 and runs until April 30, 2025, carries the theme “Vaccination for All is Humanly Possible.”
The visit to Ungwa Kanawa was not only to assess the situation but also to carry out immunization activities as part of a broader effort to combat polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The primary goal was to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing immunization campaigns and mobile outreach efforts in areas with low vaccine coverage.
During the visit, the Director of Disease Control at the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, confirmed the outbreak. He explained that the measles outbreak was linked to a failure in immunization coverage, with many children either missing the recent measles vaccination or never receiving any at all. He also noted that a significant number of children had not been immunized because their parents either refused the vaccines or neglected to bring them for the necessary shots.
“This is a situation that has been ongoing, and despite outreach teams visiting the community, many parents are not bringing their children for immunization,” said Ikara. He emphasized that a significant part of the problem was rooted in resistance to vaccination, with some families refusing to accept the health workers who came to vaccinate their children.
Ikara’s comments reflect a larger trend across several communities in the region, where vaccine hesitancy remains a serious challenge. Some of the reasons behind the refusal include misinformation, fear of side effects, and a general mistrust of health programs. In the case of Ungwa Kanawa, cultural and household dynamics also played a role, as some women were unable to make health decisions without the approval of the male heads of their households.
To address the outbreak, Ikara directed the local government’s Surveillance Officer to intensify surveillance efforts across the affected area. He also ordered additional supplies of measles vaccines to be delivered to the local government for immediate use in re-vaccinating the children in the community.
“We are strengthening our efforts to ensure that no child showing symptoms of measles is missed. We have already sent vaccines to the local government, and we have also conducted sensitization programs for household heads. It’s crucial that we get the consent of both men and women, as this greatly impacts the success of our immunization campaigns,” Ikara added.
The health team also plans to continue their vaccination drive, with outreach teams scheduled to visit the community at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Their aim is to quickly halt the outbreak and prevent it from spreading to other areas within the local government.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila, also confirmed the outbreak. She echoed the urgent need for vaccination and expressed her concern over the vulnerability of children in the area, especially given the low immunization rates.
“The outbreak of measles in Ungwa Kanawa is a reminder of the importance of timely immunization. We must ensure that every child receives their vaccines, as diseases like measles are preventable,” said Dr. Birukila.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death. The disease is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine. Health experts continue to stress the importance of vaccination as a key tool in reducing the spread of preventable diseases, especially in communities where coverage remains low.
The ongoing efforts in Zaria are part of a broader strategy to improve immunization coverage in Kaduna State and across Nigeria. The state’s health officials have been working alongside local leaders, community health workers, and international organizations like UNICEF to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure that every child is protected from preventable diseases.
As the vaccination campaign continues, authorities are hopeful that the situation will be brought under control quickly, preventing further loss of life and reducing the risk of additional outbreaks in neighbouring communities.
