Measles outbreak claims 17 lives

The measles epidemic in Sindh has reached alarming levels, resulting in the death of 17 children and affecting over 1,100 others in the past two months.

Health experts say that parental negligence and the lack of vaccinations are significant factors contributing to the surge in rising cases of measles.

According to the Health Department, from January 1 to March 8, over 1,100 children were reported to have measles, with 17 fatalities attributed to complications from the disease. In Karachi alone, there were 550 reported cases. Additionally, Khairpur recorded 10 deaths, the east district reported five, while Sukkur and Jacobabad reported one case each.

Medical experts stress that the primary cause of the measles outbreak is the failure of parents to vaccinate their children. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness characterised by symptoms such as fever, cough, swollen eyes, and rashes. In unvaccinated children, measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and other life-threatening infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that most deaths related to measles are caused by complications from pneumonia. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) offers free vaccines to children at nine and fifteen months of age, which are 100% effective against the virus.