Government Confirms Measles Outbreak as 41 Cases Recorded Across Eight Districts

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]Government's confirm measles outbreak as 41 cases recorded across eight districts.

[00:00:07]The National Public Health Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has alerted the public to a measles outbreak in Sierra Leone.

[00:00:16]Following the confirmation of 41 cases recorded between January to April 2026 across eight districts nationwide.

[00:00:26]According to a press release issued on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, the outbreak has shown a national test positive rate for 75% with Western Area Urban identified as the most severely affected area.

[00:00:44]Health officials disclosed that the district has recorded 15 confirmed cases so far, including a sharp raise of nine cases in April alone.

[00:00:56]A development, they say, indicates active community transmission in Freetown.

[00:01:03]The two institutions has urged members of the public to seek immediate medical attention if they or their children develop symptoms such as high fever, red watery eye, runny nose, cough, or rashes. The government assured the public that this is not cause for panic, stressing that measles is both preventable and treatable when detected early, and called on communities to cooperate fully with health authorities to protect families and prevent further transmission. This is Sierra Leone TV. I am Sia Lousie Kana.