Karachi, 28 measles deaths in three months

In the first three months of 2025, at least 28 deaths attributed to measles were documented in Karachi, specifically in two municipal hospitals, despite ongoing government initiatives to immunise children. The Health Department has officially declared 22 outbreaks, with one thousand confirmed cases across the province. Official records show five outbreaks in Karachi, two each in the Eastern District and Malir, and one in Keamari. Five deaths have been reported in the Eastern District. Measles outbreaks have also been reported in Dadu, Jacobabad, Kambar, Khairpur, Sukkur, Tharparkar and Umerkot. The pediatricians have reported that affected children have presented with complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Medical sources suggest that parental negligence in timely immunisation, coupled with poor breastfeeding practices, are major factors contributing to the vulnerability of children with compromised immunity. The increased incidence of measles cases observed last year can also be attributed to incomplete or no vaccination coverage, densely populated environments, poor sanitation, inadequate precautions in contact with infected persons, and delayed diagnosis by health professionals. In 2024, 150 measles outbreaks were recorded in the province, 18 of which were specifically documented in Karachi.