Burden and Trend of Measles in Nigeria: Five-year Review Case-base Surveillance Data

Authors

  • Ibrahim S. Baffa Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity, University of Maryland Global Initiative, Abuja, Nigeria Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Yahaya Mohammed Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Rabi Usman Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Aisha Abubakar Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Patrick Nguku Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8756

Abstract

Objective

We reviewed measles specific Integretaged Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) data from Nigeria over a five-year period to highlights its burden and trends, and make recommendations for improvements.

Introduction

Measles is a vaccine preventable, highly transmissible viral infection that affects mostly under-five year children. The disease is caused by a Morbillivirus; member of the Paramyxovirus family.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis of measles specific IDSR records of all States in Nigeria from January 2012 to September 2016. The record had reported measles cases with laboratory outcomes from all the States. IDSR weekly epidemiological data were obtained from Surveillance Unit, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Results

A total of 131,732 cases were recorded within the period. Highest number of cases 57,892(43.95%) were recorded in 2013 while the least number of cases 11,061(8.4%) were recorded in 2012. A total of 817 deaths were recorded, given a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.62%. The CFR showed a decreasing trend over the years with the highest CFR (1.43%) recorded in 2012 and the least CFR (0.44%) recorded in 2016. Only 8,916 (6.7%) cases were confirmed by laboratory investigation. The Northwest region recorded the highest attack rate (AR) of 149.7 cases per 100,000 population, followed by the Northeast region with 140.2 cases per 100,000 population, while the South-south region recorded the least AR of 15.8 cases per 100,000 population. Case Fatality Rate per region followed similar pattern, with the Northcentral region having the highest CFR of 4.38%. The trend of measles cases followed the same pattern. Cases peaked at March, then gradually reduced to lowest level at June.

Conclusions

Measles infection remains a burden especially in the northern region of Nigeria. Though measles fatalities were on decline over the years, laboratory diagnosis of cases has been suboptimal. We recommended improvement on routine immunization and measles case management, and strengthening of regional laboratories capacity for measles diagnosis.

References


1. WHO | Measles. WHO [Internet]. World Health Organization; 2017 [cited 2017 Apr 10]; Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/
2. Akande TM. A review of measles vaccine failure in developing countries. Niger. Med. Pract. SAME Ventures; 2007;52:112–6.
3. Ibrahim BS, Gana GJ, Mohammed Y, Bajoga UA, Olufemi AA, Umar AS, et al. Outbreak of measles in Sokoto State North-Western Nigeria, three months after a supplementary immunization campaign: An investigation report 2016. Australas. Med. J. AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL PTY LTD HILLARYS, GPO BOX 367, PERTH, WA 6923, AUSTRALIA; 2016;9:324–35.

 

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Published

2018-05-22

How to Cite

Baffa, I. S., Mohammed, Y., Usman, R., Abubakar, A., & Nguku, P. (2018). Burden and Trend of Measles in Nigeria: Five-year Review Case-base Surveillance Data. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8756

Issue

Section

Public/ Population Health Surveillance Practice