MSF Reports Malaria Surge in Northern Nigeria Regions

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has flagged a significant surge in malaria cases in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto states. Dr. Ali Nuradeen, the MSF team leader, warned that the malaria pattern remains consistent across these states, with cases peaking during the rainy season, typically from June to August.

He noted that the burden of malaria in these regions is exacerbated by malnutrition among children, which weakens their immune systems and makes them more susceptible to severe malaria. During a session with selected journalists to mark World Malaria Day 2026, Dr. Nuradeen emphasized the urgency of scaling up interventions to eliminate malaria, which remains a life-threatening disease globally, especially for children under five and pregnant women.

In 2025, MSF managed 26,000 children with malaria in therapeutic feeding centers in Katsina. The organization is implementing comprehensive approaches to ensure that no child leaves the facility untreated for malaria, highlighting the importance of preventive measures such as mosquito nets and chemoprevention targeting children during peak transmission periods.