Karachi:
The measles epidemic in Sindh has reached alarming levels, resulting in the death of 17 children and affecting more than 1,100 others in the last two months.
Health experts say that parents’ negligence and lack of vaccines are significant factors that contribute to the increase in the increase in measles cases.
According to the Department of Health, from January 1 to March 8, it was reported that more than 1,100 children had measles, with 17 deaths attributed to disease complications. In Karachi alone, there were 550 reported cases. In addition, Khairpur registered 10 deaths, the East district reported five, while Sukkur and Jacobabad reported one case.
Medical experts emphasize that the main cause of measles outbreak is parents’ failure to vaccinate their children. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by symptoms such as fever, coughing, swollen eyes and rashes. In non -vaccinated children, measles can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, brain swelling and other infections that threaten life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes that most measles -related deaths are caused by pneumonia complications. The Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) offers free vaccines to children at nine and fifteen months of age, which are 100% effective against the virus.
