Epidemic: Child dies of measles in FR Tank

A doctor at Civil Hospital tank confirms that Khalil Khan lost his two-year-old son to measles.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN:

Khalil Khan, a resident of Kariwam, Jandola lost his two-year-old son to measles, a doctor at Civil Hospital Tank confirmed.

Nearly 500 vaccines were handed to the hospital by Frontier Region (FR) Tank’s political administration, the doctor said. A team arrived in Jandola to vaccinate children in the FR, said Dr Shah.

There were reports of measles from various parts of FR Tank but the doctor could not confirm the number of affected children.

There are people infected by measles in Kari Wam, Umar Khel, Jandola and Kar Rai, said another resident Rifathullah Patt. He knew of 10 children in his village who were also infected. There may be others cases which I might not be aware of, he added.

Patt said the spread of measles in FR Tank have been reported since last week and if not prevented on time, more children will be infected. FR Tank is a backward area, which lacks comprehensive health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.