KARACHI: The Health Department in Sindh has reported a disturbing rise in measles cases, confirming that 40 children have died this year due to the preventable disease. Officials also revealed that 1,183 active cases are currently being treated across the province.
Health authorities have expressed concern over the increasing spread of measles despite ongoing vaccination efforts. Experts say that the outbreak is largely linked to gaps in immunization coverage and vaccine hesitancy among parents.
According to child health specialists, vaccination remains the only effective protection against measles. Dr. Khalid Shafi, a pediatric disease expert, emphasized that repeated awareness campaigns and door-to-door drives were conducted to encourage parents to vaccinate their children, but resistance in some communities continues to be a challenge.
He noted that measles cases began rising sharply in February this year, raising alarms within the public health sector. The disease, which is highly contagious, spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis if left untreated.
The Sindh government had earlier launched a 13-day measles and rubella vaccination campaign from November 17 to November 29 last year, targeting children between six months and five years of age. The campaign provided free MR vaccines across 30 districts of Sindh.
On a national level, health authorities in Pakistan have also initiated large-scale immunization efforts aimed at protecting nearly 35 million children under five years of age. Despite these efforts, public health officials warn that vaccine refusal and misinformation remain major barriers to disease control.
Measles and rubella are both preventable through timely immunization, yet outbreaks continue to occur in areas with low vaccine coverage. Health experts are urging parents to ensure complete vaccination schedules for their children to prevent further loss of young lives.
Authorities have reiterated that strengthening routine immunization programs and increasing public awareness are critical to controlling the spread of measles in the region.
