Khyber-Pakhtunkwa: Over 5,000 cases of measles reported last year

The Express Tribune

A total of 5,415 cases of measles were reported in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa in the last 11 months, according to data from the provincial Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). The number of cases increased drastically despite the fact that majority of the children had been vaccinated earlier. Of the cases, 3,998 children had been vaccinated, but still contracted the disease. The remaining 1,417 children had not been vaccinated. Among those vaccinated, 783 were aged between a month and a year, 2,382 were aged between one and four years, while 833 were aged five. Of those not vaccinated against the disease, 359 were between a month and a year old, 779 were aged between one and four and 279 were aged five. According to the data, 1,713 cases were reported in Peshawar, 56 in Abbottabad, 357 in Bannu, 114 in Battagram, 86 in Buner, 121 in Charsadda, 12 in Chitral, 723 in DI Khan, 59 in Lower Dir, 33 in Upper Dir, 14 in Hangu, 42 in Haripur, 51 in Karak, 17 in Kohistan, 26 in Lakki Marwat, 751 in Malakand, 138 in Mansehra, 267 in Mardan, 250 in Nowshera, 2 in Shangla, 136 in Swabi and 447 in Swat. Of the 33 cases in Upper Dir, all the children had been unvaccinated. Officials of the health department are baffled by the upsurge in reported cases saying they had provided vaccinations to all hospitals and Basic Health Units (BHUs) in the province. A health department official requesting anonymity said vaccinations would not save children from contracting measles unless parents provide proper nutrition and clean living conditions. “There is nothing wrong with the vaccinations. But these children grow up in dirty environment and parents cannot afford to feed them a balanced diet, which is necessary to boost immunity,” he said. Provincial EPI Deputy Director Dr Janbaz Afridi said the government provides free vaccinations in all hospitals and BHUs, but many parents do not bring their children for the second dose of the vaccination which is important to prevent measles. Trainee Medical Officer at the children’s ward of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Dr Burhan said parents do not give importance to vaccinating their children and many of them are unaware as to when and where to get them. “The Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) injection at 14th month of birth increases immunity level against measles and there is a 95% chance that they won’t get it, but parents [only] bring their children for the first injection at the 9th month.” Dr Burhan said once the immunity level develops, it is lifelong, but that there is a possibility that injections administered at healthcare institutions are not effective. Measles are caused by a virus and possible complications include pneumonia. It is a major cause of child deaths in low-income countries and is particularly dangerous in children with vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks. A slightly raised rash develops after a few days, usually on the face and upper neck. The rash spreads to the rest of the body over a period of three days. It lasts for five or six days before it fades. The incubation period between exposure to the disease and onset of the rash averages 14 days. General nutritional support and treating dehydration are necessary. Doctors suggest it is important to encourage children with measles to eat and drink. All children diagnosed with measles should receive two doses of Vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart. Giving Vitamin A can help prevent eye damage and blindness, and the supplements can reduce chances of death from measles by 50%.