Karachi: A dangerous outbreak of measles has once again spread rapidly across Karachi, with dozens of children currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
According to hospital sources, the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) is receiving more than six measles-infected children daily in the emergency department. Meanwhile, the Sindh Infectious Disease Hospital is treating 17 patients, including eight children under the age of one.
The situation at Civil Hospital is also alarming, with four to six new cases being reported daily. Currently, 12 patients are admitted there. Abbasi Shaheed Hospital has six measles patients, while Qatar Hospital in Orangi has reported 12 cases so far this year.
Experts state that measles is a viral infection that usually spreads in late winter and spring. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can infect other children through inhalation or contact with contaminated surfaces.
The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and red rashes that begin on the face and neck before spreading throughout the body. In some cases, eye swelling and infection, commonly known as “pink eye,” may also occur.
The most effective way to prevent this deadly disease is through vaccination. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is available free of cost. Children receive the first dose at the age of one and the second dose before starting school.
Health experts urge parents to ensure their children receive timely vaccinations to protect them from this life-threatening disease.
