By Kemo Cham
Health authorities in Sierra Leone say they are deploying teams in eight districts to identify and treat people infected with measles, after the country declared an outbreak of the viral disease.
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) announced on Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, that 41 confirmed cases have been recorded in the effected districts between January and April 2026, with a national test positivity rate of 75 percent. The agency notes that the Western Area Urban (the capital Freetown and its environs) is the most severely affected by the outbreak, accounting for 15 of the cases, with a sharp escalation to nine cases in April alone, indicating active community transmission.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breaths nearby. The disease can cause serious illness and death, especially among young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of the viral infection include high fever, red watery eyes, runny nose, cough and rash. And the government has urged the public to report any such symptoms.
The good news is that Measles is preventable, including with a vaccine that the government says it provides free at all government health facilities. The NPHA and the MOH in a statement urged the general public to remain alert, and to call the free toll 117 or visit the nearest health facility when they realize any suspected symptom.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against measles,” says the agency in the statement signed by Executive Director Prof. Foday Sahr.
The NPHA also urged parents to ensure their sick children are kept at home or stay away from crowds while seeking treatment.
Measles is considered endemic to Sierra Leone, where regular outbreaks have been attributed to gaps in routine immunization coverage, particularly affecting children under five.
According to the World Health Organization Sierra Leone office, measles is a leading cause of preventable deaths in children under five in the country. It also says that the disease remains a significant public health threat despite national vaccination campaigns, the latest being in 2024, when the country recorded 99 percent measles and rubella immunization coverage nationwide.
Recent measles outbreaks have been notably reported in Karene, Port Loko, and Koinadugu districts in the north of the country. But data shows that five districts have been designated measles prone: Pujehun, Tonkolili, Kono, Kambia, and Bombali). It wasn’st indicated when districts exactly were affected by the latest outbreak.
The NPHA says it is planning, alongside the MOH, to conduct ring vaccination around confirmed cases to interrupt transmission in affected districts. It also said that they are working on strengthening infection prevention control measures at all health facilities.
