Measles outbreak in Sindh kills 53 children

KARACHI: A sharp rise in measles infections in Sindh has left 53 children dead from related complications this year, with more than 2,000 infections recorded in the province so far, according to official figures cited by paediatrician Dr Khalid Shafi.

Dr Shafi said the outbreak is part of a wider national surge, with Pakistan reporting more than 20,000 suspected measles cases this year. Of those, over 7,000 have been confirmed through laboratory testing, while the nationwide death toll has reached 96, he said.

By province, Sindh has reported the highest number of deaths at 53, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 24, Punjab with 15, and Balochistan with four, according to the official data shared by Dr Shafi.

He urged parents to vaccinate their children against measles and other serious illnesses, saying nearly 30% of parents do not get their children immunised. Dr Shafi said the first measles vaccine is given at nine months and the second dose at 15 months, adding that prompt treatment and vaccination are especially important for infected children under five.