The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed a measles outbreak in the Kunene region, after 10 of 20 suspected cases tested positive for the virus.
All patients are reported to be in stable condition, with no deaths recorded since the first case was reported in Opuwo District on 12 September 2025.
Namibia has battled measles before. In 2018, cases were detected in several northern regions, while in 2010, the World Health Organisation reported hundreds of suspected cases nationwide.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao, in a statement, said the current outbreak meets the threshold set by Namibia’s national guidelines, which require at least two out of five suspected cases to be laboratory-confirmed before an outbreak can be declared.
“This situation highlights the urgent need to ensure all children are vaccinated against measles. Many of the confirmed cases are among unvaccinated individuals,” Luvindao said, noting that outbreaks mostly affect children who have not received the vaccine.
She described measles as a highly contagious viral disease spread through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with infected persons.
“Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and white spots inside the cheeks, followed by a rash. While usually manageable, severe complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, blindness, and brain inflammation can be fatal,” she explained.
The minister further noted that the ministry has already vaccinated 1,525 children in Opuwo, while a mass campaign from 17 September to 3 October 2025 will target more than 28,000 children between six months and 15 years old.
Public awareness campaigns and enhanced surveillance are also being intensified in the district. Luvindao urged parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers and ensure children are up to date with vaccinations.
“Measles is preventable, and vaccination is our strongest defence in protecting children and communities from this disease,” she stressed. – vkaapanda@nepc.com.na