A measles outbreak in the rural village of Jan Mohammad Mehar in Dherki, located in Sindh’s Ghotki district, has claimed the lives of three children and left at least ten others hospitalised, health authorities and local residents report. Families in the village say the outbreak has sparked fear and urgency, especially in areas where routine vaccinations have been irregular or incomplete. Sick children showed typical symptoms including high fever, rash, cough, and eye irritation, prompting an urgent appeal for medical support and vaccination campaigns in the community.
The deceased children Amir Ali, Bismillah, and Hazuran Bibi were among several young patients rushed to health facilities in recent days, but medical teams struggled to contain the rapid spread of the disease among under-vaccinated children. Concerned parents say limited access to regular healthcare services and gaps in immunisation coverage have made villages like Jan Mohammad Mehar highly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Health officials acknowledged the outbreak is part of a larger pattern of increased measles activity across Sindh province. Surveillance teams are reportedly assessing vaccination coverage and planning targeted responses, but residents stress that more immediate action is needed, including door-to-door immunisation and emergency vaccination camps to try to halt further spread.
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known, spreading easily through coughing and sneezing, and can be particularly deadly for children under five who are not fully immunised. Vaccination remains the most effective defence: global data show that high routine coverage can prevent large outbreaks and significantly reduce deaths from the virus. Despite a safe and cost-effective vaccine being widely available, many parts of Pakistan still struggle with achieving the 95 % coverage needed to prevent sustained transmission.
Pakistan has a long history of measles outbreaks linked to gaps in routine immunisation. Earlier in 2025, other parts of Sindh recorded dozens of measles-related deaths and over a thousand confirmed cases, highlighting ongoing public health challenges in reaching every child. National health authorities, in partnership with organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, launched a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign in late 2025 targeting millions of young children. It was aimed at closing immunity gaps and reducing vulnerability to future outbreaks.
Experts emphasise that while emergency responses such as outbreak investigations and vaccination drives are vital, strengthening routine immunisation systems and addressing barriers to vaccine access remain key to preventing similar tragedies. Community education, improved healthcare outreach, and better monitoring could help ensure that children receive two recommended doses of the measles vaccine, lowering the risk of severe illness and death.
