Five More Children Die From Measles

Five more children have died from measles and related symptoms across the country in the past 24 hours, from 8 pm Thursday to 8 am Friday, while 1,107 new infections and suspected cases were reported during the same period.

The figures were released Friday in the Directorate General of Health Services’ (DGHS) regular measles situation report.

According to the agency, all five children who died had been receiving treatment with symptoms consistent with measles. However, none of the deaths recorded in the past 24 hours were laboratory-confirmed cases of measles.

An analysis of DGHS data shows that the country’s measles outbreak has remained at an alarming level for the past three and a half months.

From March 15 through July 3, a total of 729 children have died from confirmed measles or measles-related symptoms nationwide. Of those, 93 deaths were laboratory-confirmed measles cases, while the remaining 636 children died after developing severe measles-related symptoms.

The latest report shows that 139 new laboratory-confirmed measles cases were identified over the past 24 hours. An additional 968 children developed symptoms consistent with the disease.

Since March 15, the total number of suspected measles cases has reached 103,961 nationwide. Laboratory testing has confirmed measles infections in 12,425 patients.

During the same period, 87,262 children with confirmed infections or suspected symptoms were admitted to hospitals. Of them, 83,543 have recovered and been discharged after receiving treatment.

Public health experts warn that the situation could worsen unless children receive measles vaccinations on schedule. They say complications are particularly severe among malnourished children and urge parents to seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.