The government has declared a measles outbreak in Botha-Bothe and Leribe districts, citing laboratory confirmation and a surge in cases among school-aged children.
‘Mamokete Ntšekhe, the Minister of Health, made the announcement in a press briefing, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action.
She said as of 9 October 2026, Botha-Bothe and Leribe have reported a combined 331 cases of measles, 293 confirmed and 38 suspected, with no deaths thus far.
Ntšekhe said the majority of cases are among children aged 10 to 14. Botha-Bothe has seen 69 cases (48 confirmed, 21 linked), with the outbreak spreading to at least three schools and affecting all district councils.
In Leribe, 266 cases (249 confirmed, 17 linked) have been recorded, especially in communities such as Maputsoe, Ha Mathata, and Ha Moholisa.
The outbreak coincided with school closures, making contact tracing difficult and raising concerns that actual case numbers may be higher than reported.
She said the way Measles spreads is through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking, and the virus can linger in enclosed spaces for up to two hours.
Symptoms include high fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Complications can be severe, ranging from pneumonia to blindness, especially in unvaccinated or malnourished children. In rare cases, measles can cause encephalitis and death.
According to the Minister, low immunization rates have contributed to the outbreak. Botha-Bothe and Leribe recorded measles vaccination coverage of just 78 percent and 69 percent in 2025, far below the 95 percent target needed for herd immunity.
“The national coverage stands at 79 percent,” she said.
WHO/UNICEF estimates (WUENIC) put the first dose (MCV1) coverage at 84 percent. However, the second dose (MCV2) remains lower, opening immunity gaps and fueling outbreaks.
The Minister said, the Ministry of Health has put in place emergency response teams at both national and district levels. Together with community health workers, chiefs, and councilors, they are tracing contacts, treating cases with Vitamin A, and referring suspected cases to health facilities, all at no cost.
A targeted vaccination campaign is underway for children aged five to fifteen in Botha-Bothe and Leribe.
The WHO has announced it’s continuedsupport tothe Ministry’s response to the outbreak through targeted vaccination activities aimed at protecting children and preventing further spread.
According to the WHO, eligible learners at St Luke’s Primary School in Maputsoe, Leribe District, have received the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, Vitamin A, and Albendazole tablets for deworming as part of the outbreak response.
“WHO remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure that every eligible child is reached and that future outbreaks are detected and controlled promptly,” WHO says.
Minister Ntšekhe urged parents, caregivers, teachers, and the wider community to ensure children are vaccinated and suspected cases are reported quickly. She also appealed to local and international partners for support and called on the media to counter misinformation.
“Measles is preventable. Together, we can stop this epidemic!” she concluded.
Summary
- The government has declared a measles outbreak in Botha-Bothe and Leribe districts, citing laboratory confirmation and a surge in cases among school-aged children.
- According to the WHO, eligible learners at St Luke’s Primary School in Maputsoe, Leribe District, have received the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, Vitamin A, and Albendazole tablets for deworming as part of the outbreak response.
- “WHO remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure that every eligible child is reached and that future outbreaks are detected and controlled promptly,” WHO says.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
