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🇳🇵 Nepal /Health & Science

Experts blame Nepal measles spread on immunisation gap

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Measles outbreaks have spread to nine districts in Nepal over the past five months, with Jajarkot and Surkhet in Karnali Province recently reporting new cases.
  • Health officials confirm infections in Jajarkot and Gurbakot municipalities, raising concerns for vulnerable populations, including those displaced by a recent earthquake.
  • Experts attribute the spread to an immunization gap, with vaccine shortages hindering ring vaccination efforts in affected areas.

Measles outbreaks are spreading across Nepal, with nine districts reporting cases in the last five months. Jajarkot and Surkhet in Karnali Province are the latest to confirm infections, adding to previous outbreaks in Sarlahi, Baglung, Mahottari, Kalikot, Dailekh, Achham, and Siraha.

As many as 18 children and youths have been infected with the measles virus in ward 11 of our municipality.

— Dip Bahadur OliA public health inspector in Jajarkot reporting on the scale of the outbreak.

In Jajarkot, Dip Bahadur Oli, a public health inspector in Bheri Municipality, reported 18 children and youths infected in one ward. Laboratory tests confirmed measles in four out of seven sent samples. Health officials in Gurbakot Municipality also confirmed measles in three out of five collected samples. "We have administered vitamin A supplements to children of the disease-hit areas and have distributed foodstuffs to the affected families so that they will remain in their villages," said Purna Gharti, health section chief of Gurbakot Municipality.

Public health experts are concerned about the vulnerability of populations displaced by the 2023 earthquake in Jajarkot, many of whom are living in makeshift shelters. Measles is highly contagious and can be fatal, particularly for unvaccinated individuals. The situation is compounded by vaccine shortages, which have prevented widespread ring vaccination efforts. While ring vaccinations have been carried out in parts of Sarhali and Baglung, they have not been implemented in other affected areas.

We have administered vitamin A supplements to children of the disease-hit areas and have distributed foodstuffs to the affected families so that they will remain in their villages.

— Purna GhartiHealth section chief of Gurbakot Municipality on measures taken.

Nepal has experienced multiple outbreaks of deadly diseases, including cholera in Jajarkot in 2009. The current measles epidemic has infected over 300 children and youths since the start of 2026, with a significant number of teenagers and young adults affected, their vaccination status often unknown. "We are planning to launch ring vaccination in the disease-hit areas of Jajarkot and Surkhet," stated Dr. Abihan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services.

We are planning to launch ring vaccination in the disease-hit areas of Jajarkot and Surkhet.

— Dr Abihan GautamChief of the Immunisation Section at the Department of Health Services on future plans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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