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Measles in Nigeria (Update)

14 Mar 2013

The Commissioner of Health for Kebbi State in the north-west of the country, has reported an outbreak of measles with more than 2500 cases recorded in 14 local government areas in the last 2 months.

Government officials blame the outbreak on low uptake of measles vaccine and poor coverage during the 2011, campaign. A large vaccination campaign is being planned for June 2013, as it will take until then to train vaccine administrators correctly.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.