Villagers claim two minors died of measles

Villagers treated kids with traditional medication but they did not survive and passed away on Tuesday

MANSEHRA: According to villagers in Oghi tehsil, Mansehra, two young children died of measles. Health authorities, however, have yet to ascertain the cause of death.

Sher Noor, a resident of Kiyarbai village, said his eight-year-old son Niaz Muhammad developed a rash on his body a few days ago and was complaining of fever. They treated him with traditional medication but he did not survive and passed away on Tuesday. The village elders had diagnosed the rash as measles.

Another villager from the same area, Himat Wali, said his 11-month-old daughter Bakht Sana showed similar symptoms. She also died on the same day. Wali added there are a few more children who are suffering from measles.

When contacted, Oghi Civil Hospital In charge Dr Niaz was not available for comments. Tariq, a paramedic, however, confirmed the deaths but denied it was caused by measles since neither of them was brought to the hospital for examination.

He added that health authorities have sent a team of doctors to the area to vaccinate every child so that if there is evidence of the disease found, more deaths can be prevented.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.