Outbreak in Zhob: 9 children hospitalised with measles

Lack of funds hampers immunisation; Congo virus claims two lives in Quetta

QUETTA: At least nine children suffering from measles have been admitted to District Hospital Zhob, while two persons died of Congo virus in Quetta.

The Congo virus victims included Rana Tahir Mehmood, a staffer of Century Express, Quetta.

Medical Superintendent DHQ Zhob Abdul Rehman told The Express Tribune that there could be around 30 more children suffering from measles in Zhob.

Measles has so far killed 13 children out of 480 cases reported in Balochistan in 2014.

Secretary Health Arshad Bugti said teams had been dispatched to Zhob district to monitor the situation and immunise the affected village so as to contain a measles outbreak.

“There had been no campaign due to the lack of funds. Balochistan government has now agreed to release the funds for the campaign,” he told The Express Tribune.

Congo virus kills two

Two people, including a staffer of Century Express, died from Congo virus in Quetta on Wednesday, doctors confirmed to The Express Tribune, pushing the death toll to four in the last three months.

Rana Tahir Mehmood was hospitalised a few days ago. “He was treated for three days at Mission Hospital where doctors could not diagnose the ailment properly,” a family member of Tahir said.

The patient was later shifted to CMH due to his deteriorating health where he was diagnosed with Congo virus, he said, adding, “It was too late.” Another young man Mohammed Zubair died at Fatima Jinnah TB Sanatorium and Chest Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2014.