13 measles cases recorded in South Waziristan in two days
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Measles cases have been reported in different areas of Lower South Waziristan, raising concerns about the spread of the infectious disease among children.
The district headquarters (DHQ) hospital in Wana has registered 13 measles cases during the last two days, according to Jan Mohammad, the medical superintendent of the hospital.
He said seven cases were reported a day earlier, while six more cases were reported on Tuesday.
Vaccination drive under way
The health department said most children in different areas of Wana had already been vaccinated against measles. It added that teams had been formed in various areas to help prevent the spread of the disease and strengthen preventive measures.
The response follows a measles South Waziristan scare with a tragic backdrop. Five days earlier, twin siblings died of measles in the Santoi area of Shakai tehsil in Lower South Waziristan, according to information provided by the health department.
That deaths of two children in one family underline why the department is moving fast. Measles spreads quickly among unvaccinated children, and it can turn fatal when treatment comes late or facilities fall short.
Locals flag hospital shortages
Locals expressed concern over the shortage of facilities at Wana hospital. They said children affected by measles were facing difficulties in getting adequate treatment because of the shortage.
They urged the relevant authorities to improve healthcare services, ensure the availability of essential medical facilities at the hospital and provide timely treatment to children suffering from measles.
They also asked the health authorities to strengthen vaccination efforts and improve treatment facilities at Wana hospital to protect children from the disease.
The complaints point to a familiar gap in the region’s healthcare. The Supreme Court recently ordered tighter oversight of hospitals, and doctors’ bodies have been protesting the registration of FIRs against medical staff, which they say could push doctors to refuse critical cases. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the first kidney transplant under the Sehat Card at KTH showed what the province’s hospitals can achieve when resourced, a contrast with the safety concerns raised about Punjab’s hospitals earlier.
Why measles keeps returning
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, and it hits hardest in areas where vaccination coverage has gaps. Two doses of the measles vaccine give strong protection, which is why health departments run repeated campaigns in districts like South Waziristan.
Outbreaks often follow the same pattern: a cluster of cases in one area, then a scramble to vaccinate the surrounding population. The health department’s decision to form teams across Wana’s localities follows that playbook.
The challenge is access. In remote tehsils, cold-chain storage for vaccines, trained vaccinators and follow-up visits are harder to sustain. When cases appear at the DHQ hospital in Wana, it usually means the virus has been circulating in nearby villages for days.
What parents should do
Health officials advise parents to check that their children have received both doses of the measles vaccine. Children with high fever and rash should be taken to a health facility early, since timely care greatly improves outcomes.
Isolation of sick children also helps. Keeping a child with measles away from other children for the infectious period slows the spread within households and neighbourhoods.
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cases | 13 in two days (seven a day earlier, six on Tuesday) |
| Location | Wana, Lower South Waziristan |
| Hospital | DHQ hospital Wana |
| Recent deaths | Twin siblings died in Shakai tehsil five days earlier |
| Response | Vaccination teams formed across Wana localities |
Frequently asked questions
How many measles cases have been reported in South Waziristan?
Thirteen cases were registered at the DHQ hospital in Wana during the last two days, seven a day earlier and six more on Tuesday, according to the hospital’s medical superintendent Jan Mohammad.
Have there been measles deaths in the area?
Yes. Twin siblings died of measles in the Santoi area of Shakai tehsil in Lower South Waziristan five days earlier, according to the health department.
What is the health department doing?
The department says most children in Wana have been vaccinated and that teams have been formed in various areas to prevent the spread of the disease and strengthen preventive measures.
What do locals want?
Residents have urged the authorities to improve healthcare services at Wana hospital, ensure essential medical facilities are available and strengthen vaccination efforts to protect children.
