Four children die of suspected measles in 24 hours, toll hits 894

The country’s measles outbreak remains acute, with four more children dying of suspected measles-related complications in the past 24 hours, taking the combined death toll from confirmed and suspected cases to 894 since March 15. During the same period, measles or measles-like symptoms were detected in 1,159 children, including 187 laboratory-confirmed cases and 972 suspected cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Friday.

All four latest deaths were classified as suspected measles cases, while no laboratory-confirmed measles deaths were reported during the period. Of the 894 deaths recorded between March 15 and 8am on Friday, 795 involved suspected measles or related symptoms and 99 were confirmed by testing. Meanwhile, the number of people identified with suspected measles symptoms has risen to 141,048, while confirmed cases have reached 17,730. The figures underscore the persistent intensity of the outbreak nearly five months after it began, with suspected cases alone rising by 972 and confirmed cases by 187 over the past 24 hours.

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The sustained surge has also placed considerable strain on the country’s healthcare system. Since March 15, 122,794 patients with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals nationwide, of whom 118,540 have recovered and been discharged, leaving more than 4,000 patients requiring continued admission, treatment or follow-up care. The DGHS maintains separate statistics for confirmed and suspected measles, with patients displaying symptoms consistent with the disease but lacking laboratory confirmation classified as suspected cases. Consequently, the latest four deaths have been included in the overall toll despite the absence of laboratory confirmation.