Sierra Leone has declared a measles outbreak following a rise in confirmed infections and reports of active community transmission in the capital, Freetown.
Health authorities recorded 41 confirmed cases across eight districts between January and April 2026, with the Western Area Urban District emerging as the hardest hit after registering 15 infections, including nine in April alone.
The National Public Health Agency and the Health Ministry said emergency response teams had been deployed to affected areas, especially the Western Area Urban District, as authorities intensified ring vaccination campaigns, surveillance, contact tracing and infection prevention measures.
Residents have been advised to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.
Authorities further urged parents to ensure children receive the two free measles vaccine doses available nationwide, describing vaccination as the most effective defence against the highly contagious disease.