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By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
Phnom Penh, Cambodia — In the early hours of May mornings, health centers across Cambodia came alive with the buzz of urgency. Children lined up in plastic chairs, clinging to parents who were often more nervous than they let on. What brought them together? A fast-moving and deeply worrying measles outbreak that has shaken the country’s health system and drawn global attention.
From January to April 2025, Cambodia reported 2,150 confirmed cases of measles—a staggering rise from the 666 cases recorded in all of 2024. The outbreak has cut across all 25 provinces, with the capital Phnom Penh reporting the highest number of cases (394), followed by Siem Reap (208) and Kandal (167). Most of the victims are unvaccinated children, caught in the cracks of misinformation, economic hardship, and pandemic-induced healthcare gaps.
💉 A Disease Long Thought Defeated, Now Back with a Vengeance
Measles—once declared eliminated in Cambodia in 2015—is now making a troubling comeback. Easily preventable through vaccination, the virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. It can lead to complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, permanent disabilities, and even death, especially in young children.
🚑 Swift Government Action: A Nationwide Immunization Sprint
Between May 12 and 19, the Cambodian government launched a countrywide immunization response in all 103 operational districts. The campaign targeted children aged 6 months to 14 years, deploying health workers to rural villages, city neighborhoods, and hard-to-reach communities.
From city health centers like Kilometre Number 6 Health Centre in Russey Keo District to remote provinces, vaccinators like Tem Sreyneth worked tirelessly to counter myths and encourage hesitant parents. “I tell them a mild fever is normal. The real danger is measles,” she emphasized, after inoculating 50 children in just a few hours.
📢 Misinformation and Mobility: Double-Edged Threats
According to Dr Po Rithy, Deputy Director of Phnom Penh’s Municipal Health Department, logistical and informational barriers still pose serious risks. “Parents often don’t realize how dangerous measles is. Some can’t get to clinics. Others lose track of booster shots when relocating for work,” he explained during a site visit in Russey Keo.
🧭 A Global Trend, Not Just Cambodia’s Crisis
Cambodia is not alone. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, global measles cases have risen sharply due to declining immunization coverage and increased population movement. The Western Pacific Region, in particular, has seen recurring spikes since 2023.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped in to support Cambodia’s National Immunization Program, aiding in surveillance efforts, technical coordination, and emergency response. But the lesson is clear: complacency breeds vulnerability, even in countries that had previously declared measles eliminated.
🧠 A Message for Nigeria and the Rest of the World
Cambodia’s experience is a stark reminder to nations like Nigeria, where access gaps, misinformation, and resource constraints also hinder full immunization coverage. In an increasingly interconnected world, a measles outbreak in one region can quickly ripple into a broader crisis if health systems are not vigilant.
🗞️ As public health experts across the globe monitor the unfolding situation, Newspot Nigeria urges policymakers, civil society actors, and health professionals to prioritize universal immunization, debunk vaccine myths, and reach every child—no matter where they live.
— Reported by Newspot Nigeria
