Cold weather triggers measles outbreak

KARACHI:

With the onset of cold weather, measles cases have begun rising rapidly across the city. Hospitals are receiving dozens of children daily with measles symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and body rashes.

Pediatric specialists have warned parents that measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads swiftly from an infected child to others. In the absence of vaccination, the illness can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures (SSPE), and in severe cases, even death.

Pediatrician Dr Liaquat Ali told The Express Tribune that the intensity of winter is contributing to the rise in measles cases. According to him, dozens of children are being brought to hospitals every day with symptoms such as red eyes, fever, cough, nasal congestion, and mouth sores. Measles also causes rashes on the face and body and is mostly seen in children under five years of age.

He added that under the EPI programme, two free doses of the measles vaccine are administered at nine months and 18 months of age. While vaccinated children may still contract measles, the severity remains significantly lower. Unvaccinated children, however, are at higher risk of developing complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and seizures, while severe cases can cause mental disability (SSPE).

Dr Liaquat further said that a dose of Vitamin A can reduce the risk of death among measles-infected children by up to 50 per cent. Keeping the infected child isolated and seeking timely medical care helps limit the spread of the disease and reduces complications.