Measles outbreak: 9 more die in Sindh as death toll soars past 300

Over 40 children have died in Shikarpur during the past two months.

SUKKUR:

The measles outbreak has claimed nine more children during the last 24 hours in different parts of rural Sindh. The death toll has soared past 300 in Sindh, according to sources. However, officials say 245 children or more have died so far.

According to reports, the nine children who died after catching the virus include one-and-a-half-year-old Azam Buriro from Wah Buriro village near Kandhra in Sukkur; Nasiban Mahar, 2, in Jumo Mahar village near Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Shikarpur; one-year-old Sanaullah Lashari in Deenpur village near Thull, Jacobabad; Ghulam Mohammad Qazi, 4, in Sher Muhammad Qazi village near Ubauro, Ghotki; and two-year-old Maria in Eidgah Muhalla, Kashmore.

Two children – Asima Lakhan,6, and Kamran Lakhan, 5 – passed away in Mubarak Lakhan village of Ghotki district. In Daharki, two-year-old Saddam passed away near Dahar Wah, Ghotki, while Koonj Golato, 5, died in Haji Mehar Golato village and Haresh Bheel passed away in Bheel Muhalla Choondko, Khairpur district.

Meanwhile, according to reports, the virus has claimed 40 lives in the last seven weeks in Shikarpur district. Hundreds of children suffering from measles are admitted to the Civil Hospital, as well as other government and private hospitals and healthcare centres in the district.



According to health department figures, more than 800 children suffering from measles were brought to hospitals and healthcare centres for treatment.

Medical Superintendent Civil Hospital Shikarpur Dr Massoud Ahmed Badvi said more than 200 children suffering from measles were admitted in three Isolation Wards. A two-year-old girl, Sameena, from Suhbat Khan Machi village died in the hospital on Monday, he added. Sources said two more children – identified as Naseeba and Sabir – also died from measles in Lakhi Ghulam Shah and Shikarpur Talukas.

Dr Badvi said six to seven patients with measles are admitted daily at Shikarpur’s Civil Hospital. However, he added that the situation was improving to some extent after an anti-measles vaccination campaign was launched in the district.

Army steps up

Meanwhile, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Tuesday stated that the Pakistan Army decided to establish free medical camps in affected areas to assist people. Quick response teams of medical experts were immediately dispatched to carry out vaccination against measles and provision of general medical facilities to people of affected areas on an emergency basis, the statement added.

Approximately 2,500 children were vaccinated, while more than 4,000 patients were also treated for other diseases, it added.  (With additional input from Agencies)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2013.