Nigeria among top five measles-burden countries as conflict drives cases

Cases of measles in conflict-affected countries rose by 28.5% in 2025, with Nigeria ranking among the top five worst-hit, according to 2026 analysis by Save the Children.

According to the Uk-based aid organisation, the countries with conflict reporting the most confirmed cases of measles in 2025 included: Yemen (32,448 cases), Nigeria (19,225), Sudan (7,644), Democratic Republic of the Congo (4,320) and Cameroon (4,139).

Save the Children said it compared data on the number of confirmed measles cases from the World Health Organisation dataset on Provisional Monthly Measles and Rubella Cases, and found the total number of cases in 2024 atv57,825 confirmed cases and 2025 at 74,343 across 18 countries in conflict, reflecting 28.5% increase between the two years.

The aid organisation said insecurity, attacks on health care, aid cuts, vaccine stockouts, mistrust and misinformation, are worsening crisis as they continue to undermine immunisation efforts.

As Nigeria marks World Immunisation, the aid agency called for renewed efforts to help vaccines reach children, warning that more than 14,360 cases of the deadly measles virus have been confirmed across 15 countries facing conflict in 2026 already.

“In Nigeria, conflict has combined with disruptions in health services, vaccine stock outs, long-seated vaccine mistrust, and disinformation campaigns to lead to some of the highest numbers of under-vaccinated children in the world”, the Agency stated.

Laura Cardinal, Save the Children’s Senior Health Lead, stressed that vaccinations are crucial for saving children’s lives, and expressed worry that measles, a disease that is almost entirely preventable with just two doses of a safe and effective vaccine, is once again placing the lives of young children at risk.

“While measles cases are rising in many places, outbreaks in countries grappling with conflict are particularly concerning. In these countries health systems are often shattered, children’s immunity already weakened due to conditions such as malnutrition, and families are uprooted from their homes and unable to access basic health services, all of which makes children even more susceptible to diseases such as measles.

“Without lifesaving vaccines, outbreaks will continue to spread, paediatric wards will continue to fill, and children will lose their lives. We need to see urgent and sustained investment from all donors and governments to support the delivery of essential health services, especially in countries affected by conflict and crises, and concerted efforts from all Governments and partners to increase vaccine rates and protect children against infectious diseases”, Cardinal noted.