Two children fall prey to measles outbreak

Health emergency declared in the Shakai area of South Waziristan

MIRANSHAH:

A measles outbreak has erupted in the remote Shakai Valley and adjacent Sanga areas of Lower South Waziristan, resulting in the tragic deaths of two innocent children, a boy and a girl.

In response, district health authorities have declared a health emergency and launched urgent interventions, including house-to-house vaccination drives and sweep operations to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Adnan Rashid expressed profound sorrow over the fatalities while speaking to reporters the other day. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and emphasized that the health department stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time.

Addressing circulating misinformation and baseless allegations on social media against the health department, Dr Rashid clarified that the vaccination records of the deceased children are fully documented in the department's computerized system.

He stated that one child, Salar, had received the complete course of protective vaccinations, with his vaccination card and QR code available as evidence. Similarly, Salar's brother Masood was also fully vaccinated. Masood was brought to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana on the 3rd of this month in critical condition. According to Dr Rashid, doctors at the hospital strongly advised immediate admission due to his deteriorating state, but the parents refused despite repeated medical counsel. This refusal was duly recorded in the department's system.

Regarding the girl, Safia, the DHO explained that she was recorded as a refusal case during a prior measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign due to parental hesitation and fear. During the current outbreak, an Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) team led by Coordinator Dr Hamid visited the child's home in a border and remote part of Shakai. Safia, one of twins, was found to be in extremely weak condition upon examination.