Epidemic: Measles claims another life in Mansehra district

Villagers say six children have died of the disease.

MANSEHRA: Health officials on Monday said another child died of measles in Mansehra, while villagers claimed the disease had claimed six more lives.

Mansehra District Health Officer Dr Siddiq Rehman confirmed one death and the outbreak of the disease in some areas.

Rehman said under international law, a single case of measles is considered an epidemic, adding that vaccination teams have been sent to the area. He refused to share the exact number of measles cases in the district.



Villagers said the most affected areas include Tarnad, Kurtwal Pirhari and Kooza Banda where they say four children died. Recent snowfall and rains have caused landslides and blocked several road links, restricting residents from taking their children to hospital.

The Battagram district health officer was not available for comment, but a representative from his office confirmed they had knowledge of the measles cases but could not confirm the deaths.



The officer said none of the four deceased children were brought to or examined by government health facilities in Battagram, which is why it could not be confirmed if the children died of measles.

A team of doctors and paramedics have been dispatched to the affected areas to begin vaccinations and investigations are underway, the official added.

The death of a boy from Mahandri and a two-year-old girl from Ghaniyan, Oghi tehsil were also reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2013.