The symptoms of rubella usually only last a few days but your glands may be swollen for several weeks. PHOTO: STANFORD/FILE
The Rubella virus and measles have reared their heads in villages in the district of Sajawal. Health authorities have confirmed that at least 30 cases of both were reported and they suspect that a dozen more might come up soon as many children are displaying similar symptoms.
These include a skin rash, swollen glands, high temperature and cold-like symptoms such as a cough and runny nose. The district health department has started vaccinating, instead of treating children suffering from the illness or isolating them from other children.
Sources claim that more than 40 children have died in one month while the district health authorities deny such claims. They did, however, accept that several children had been affected across the district.
“This is the first time that the Rubella virus has been detected in our area,” said Dr Ameer Haider Shah, the medical superintendent of Sajawal taluka hospital. “So far two cases were confirmed after blood samples were sent to Islamabad.” Dr Shah said that they will administer the second dose of vaccinations to the children by May 19.
According to the former medical superintendent of Lyari General Hospital, Dr Mukhtiar Ali Khwaja, who visited four villages of union council Jar, at least 60 children in the area had measles. Dr Khwaja went to Rawal Kandhra, Sawan Kandhra, Usman Kandhra and Usman Bharal with a medical team from the Pakistan Relief Foundation (PRF).
"I was shocked at the condition of the children in these villages," he said. "More than 50 children had severe fever in the area."
The chairperson of the relief foundation, Haleem Adil Sheikh, said that the Sindh government was in a state of denial. He claimed that the sick children were not being admitted to hospitals. He suspects that the provincial government believes that the situation could become like the Thar crisis if they shared facts.
Sources told The Express Tribune that measles have affected hundreds of children across the district, especially around the coastal belt. "The situation is critical in villages near the coastal areas," said a doctor requesting anonymity. "The death toll will increase in the next couple of days if the government doesn't treat the children instead of just vaccinating them."
What is Rubella
Rubella, also known as German measles is a viral infection that used to be common in children. It is usually a mild condition that gets better without treatment in seven to 10 days. The symptoms of rubella usually only last a few days but your glands may be swollen for several weeks.
Measles
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant. Symptoms include cold-like symptoms, red eyes, high fever and greyish white spots in the mouth and throat.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2014.
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