KARACHI (Web Desk) – Measles has claimed the lives of 53 children in Sindh this year, raising serious concerns among health authorities as the province continues to record a sharp increase in suspected and confirmed cases of the highly contagious viral disease.
According to the latest health surveillance data, Sindh has reported 7,105 suspected measles cases during the first 26 weeks of 2026. Laboratory testing has confirmed 2,280 infections, making the province one of the country’s most affected regions during the current outbreak.
Nationwide, Pakistan has recorded 29,066 suspected measles cases, with 8,309 laboratory-confirmed infections and 102 reported deaths since the beginning of the year. Health experts warn that the figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen immunisation campaigns and improve disease surveillance across the country.
Medical specialists say measles remains one of the world’s most contagious viral illnesses and can spread rapidly in communities where vaccination coverage is low. The disease primarily affects children and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, severe dehydration and, in extreme cases, death.
Health officials believe many of the recent infections could have been prevented through routine childhood immunisation. They stressed that the measles vaccine remains the most effective protection against the disease and significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and fatalities.
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Experts have urged parents to ensure that children receive both recommended doses of the measles vaccine according to Pakistan’s national immunisation schedule. They warned that delaying or missing vaccinations leaves children vulnerable to infection and increases the likelihood of outbreaks.
Public health authorities are also encouraging families to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms such as high fever, persistent cough, runny nose, red eyes and the characteristic skin rash associated with measles. Early diagnosis and supportive medical care can help reduce complications and improve recovery.
Officials said health departments are closely monitoring the situation while expanding surveillance to identify new cases quickly. Medical teams are working to improve reporting systems and strengthen coordination between hospitals, clinics and vaccination centres.
In response to the increasing number of infections, provincial health authorities are expected to intensify immunisation drives in high-risk districts where vaccination coverage remains below target levels. Special campaigns may also focus on remote communities where access to routine healthcare services is limited.
Health experts have called for greater public awareness about the importance of vaccination, saying misinformation and vaccine hesitancy continue to undermine disease prevention efforts. They stressed that community participation is essential to stopping further transmission of the virus.
Medical professionals also highlighted the need for improved nutrition among children, noting that malnourished children are more likely to suffer severe complications from measles. Strengthening primary healthcare services and ensuring timely access to vaccines remain critical components of long-term disease control.
The World Health Organization and other international health agencies have repeatedly warned that disruptions to routine immunisation programmes in recent years have contributed to the resurgence of measles in several countries, including Pakistan.
Public health specialists believe sustained vaccination campaigns, stronger disease monitoring and improved healthcare access are necessary to prevent future outbreaks. They also urged parents not to ignore early symptoms and to avoid exposing infected children to others, as the virus spreads rapidly through coughing, sneezing and close personal contact.
Health authorities have assured the public that vaccination services remain available through government health facilities and expanded immunisation centres across Sindh. They have appealed to parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and complete their children’s immunisation schedules to protect both individual families and the wider community.
Officials say controlling the outbreak will require coordinated efforts by healthcare workers, government institutions and the public to increase vaccine coverage and prevent additional child deaths in the months ahead.
