Epidemic: Govt to launch anti-measles campaign next week

(K-P) health department decides to launch a door-to-door anti-measles vaccination campaign.

PESHAWAR:

Following a measles outbreak in Dir, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) health department has decided to launch a door-to-door anti-measles vaccination campaign in a week’s time, when roads to areas currently cut off by the snow are reopened.

Roads leading to Dog Darra, Shaor, Biyar, Barikot and Goldai were closed following heavy snowfall last week. Since people could not be taken to hospital in time, nearly 65 people have died in Upper Dir this month. In January alone, 48 deaths were reported in Upper Dir and 22 in Lower Dir.

“We have already conducted a vaccination campaign in the area; those getting infected are children who suffer from malnutrition,” K-P Reproductive Health Deputy Director Dr Rohullah Jan told The Express Tribune. He added that roads leading to currently inaccessible areas would be cleared in a week and then they will begin a door-to-door campaign.



Dr Jan said he led a team of health officials to the area a few days ago to investigate the reasons behind the deaths of children. He claimed that people refuse to get the vaccination administered saying it is useless and the disease will appear in either case.

“We have enough vaccine and staff available to administer it to all children. The local administration has been told to speed up the removal of snow so that children can be reached,” Dr Jan said.

The deputy director said Lady Health Workers have been instructed to educate mothers on serious issues regarding health and the importance of a balanced diet.

He added that clerics have also been asked not to promote negative propaganda about the vaccine in their Friday prayer sermons.

Teams from the World Health Organisation and UNICEF will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday to analyse the measles outbreak.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2013.