Measles outbreak in Sindh kills 17 children in two months

The Sindh Health Department confirmed that the measles outbreak has claimed 17 lives in the past two months in the province with over 1,100 cases have been reported from January 1 to March 8 across the province.

The highest number of deaths occurred in Khairpur district, where 10 children lost their lives, while Karachi reported 550 cases, with five deaths in the East district. Meanwhile, Sukkur and Jacobabad recorded one fatality each.

In Khairpur, the outbreak turned deadly within days, as seven children died in just 48 hours.

Doctors stated the main cause of these deaths is low vaccination rates and lack of awareness. Despite being preventable, many children remain unvaccinated, making them vulnerable to severe complications.

Hospital officials report 4 to 6 new cases daily, mostly among children under five. Some have also been hospitalized with pneumonia, a dangerous complication of measles.

Earlier to this, a sharp rise in measles cases has been reported in Sindh, with over 2,000 cases documented this year, including 900 in Karachi alone, according to the Sindh Health Department.

Government hospitals in Karachi are recording four to six new cases daily, with most patients being children under five. Some children have also been hospitalized with pneumonia caused by measles, officials said.

A measles outbreak in Khairpur district has turned deadly, claiming seven lives in two days. Five children died in Sagyoon, while two others lost their lives in Pir Jo Goth, officials confirmed.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms appear 10-12 days after exposure, starting with fever, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. A red rash typically starts on the face before spreading across the body.

Health experts warn of serious complications, including diarrhea, middle ear infections, and pneumonia, urging parents to vaccinate their children to prevent further spread.

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