Measles: 146 new cases reported

LAHORE:

Another 146 cases of measles were reported between May 17 and 18, taking the total number of measles cases reported in the Punjab to 12,490 in the last five months.

At least 87 deaths have been reported so far, most of them in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Kasur, according to the Health Department.

Of the 146 new cases, 56 were reported from hospitals in Lahore.

Director General Health Services Dr Tanveer Ahmed told APP said that most of the deaths in Lahore were caused by severe pneumonia and a delay in admitting the patients to hospitals.

He said that the measles vaccine was available in ample supply and for free in city hospitals. He urged parents of children under five to get them vaccinated.

The Punjab government recently conducted a vaccination drive targeting some three million children in Lahore. An anti-measles campaign in 11 other districts starts on June 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2013.