Nine children die as measles epidemic hits Balochistan

Official says health teams have been dispatched to Zhob district to contain disease epidemic

QUETTA: At least nine children, including four girls, died as a new wave of measles hit Balochistan's Zhob district on Saturday.

District Vice Chairman Zhob district Maulvi Jarullah said that the disease broke out in the Tansara Union Council and affected the areas of Bayan Zai, Zakariya Zai and Kakshaim. Immediate measures are required to contain the epidemic, he added.

District Health Officer (DHO) Zhob Dr Muzaffar Shah also confirmed the spread of the disease.



Earlier, provincial secretary health Noorul Haq Baloch dispatched teams of experts to the affected district. The department also said that all necessary measures were being taken to overcome the disease as the district administration has been asked for their cooperation to identify the areas affected by the epidemic.

On Friday, doctors initiated preventive measures when the disease also broke out in Awaran area of the province.

In September 6, three children contracted measles in Safi tehsil, Mohmand Agency, Fata. According to the official, another child, identified as Rizwan, was rushed to a hospital in Peshawar in critical condition after he contracted measles. The health official revealed there were no vaccines for measles at basic health units in Safi.