By Sallieu S, Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 2, 2026: The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), has officially declared a measles outbreak in Sierra Leone after confirming sustained transmission across multiple districts.
On May 13, 2026, authorities reported 41 confirmed cases in eight districts, including Western Area Urban (Freetown), Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Bombali, Tonkolili, Bo, Kenema, and Kono. By May 19, the number had risen to 49 confirmed cases, with a laboratory positivity rate of 75 percent, signaling active community transmission and likely under‑detection.
Children under five remain the most vulnerable due to low vaccination coverage, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare. High population mobility, overcrowded settlements, schools, and marketplaces are further accelerating the spread.
Health systems in affected districts are under mounting pressure, with demands for surveillance, case investigation, laboratory testing, and community engagement outpacing available resources. Weak community‑level surveillance, limited outreach capacity, and shortages of operational support have constrained the response.
In reaction, the MoH and NPHA activated the Incident Command Centre (ICC) and initiated coordination with humanitarian and development partners. Measures include reactive vaccination campaigns, strengthened surveillance, community engagement, and case management support. The NPHA has urgently appealed for partner assistance, warning that without immediate action, the outbreak could escalate rapidly, particularly in densely populated areas.
Despite ongoing interventions, transmission continues to expand, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian support to boost vaccination uptake and reduce preventable illness and deaths among vulnerable populations.