LARKANA: A five-year-old boy has died from measles in a village near Naudero, bringing the total number of measles-related deaths in the area to three within just three days.
The deceased, Ali Abbas, son of Noor Muhammad Soomro, was a resident of Nau Gath on the outskirts of Naudero. The child’s death has plunged the household into deep mourning.
Speaking to reporters, the bereaved father, Noor Muhammad Soomro, explained that a few days earlier, his younger son, Ali Raza, had also contracted the virus. Raza was admitted to a facility under Dr Amanullah Shaikh in Larkana and has since recovered, though he remains in a weakened state.
Shortly afterwards, Ali Abbas began displaying symptoms. He was taken to a private doctor in Naudero town who prescribed medication, but the child tragically did not survive. This incident follows the deaths of two other children, Arshad Jogi and Zainab Jogi, from the same household in the Gharibabad locality of Naudero town two days prior.
In response to the fatalities, the health department launched a vaccination drive and established a medical camp in Gharibabad on Wednesday.
Immediately after the news broke, Dr Raj Kumar, the project director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Sindh, alongside Larkana District Health Officer (DHO) Shoukat Ali Abro, visited the camp. They met with the families of Zainab and Arshad to gather firsthand information regarding the situation.
During an interaction with local journalists, Dr Kumar confirmed that teams are active in Gharibabad but downplayed the severity of the crisis. He stated that there has been no “outbreak” in the area, asserting that hundreds or thousands of children have not been affected.
Dr Kumar noted that the measles vaccine is typically administered at nine and 15 months of age, and records indicated that Zainab Jogi had not received her second dose. He emphasised that children with weakened immune systems or those who remain unvaccinated face a significantly higher risk of mortality upon contracting the virus. Regarding Arshad and Zainab, he confirmed that no laboratory samples had been collected; their cases were classified as measles based solely on clinical evidence. Observers at the Gharibabad medical camp noted that no sampling system appeared to be in place.
In a brief situation report shared with Dawn on Wednesday, DHO Dr Abro stated that an immediate response was initiated following the reported deaths in Jogi Muhallah. A three-day medical camp, staffed by both male and female doctors, has been established to provide continuous healthcare.
Furthermore, a team of four vaccinators and 10 lady health workers (LHWs) has been deployed for door-to-door immunisation and community mobilisation. Dr Abro added that an active surveillance team is currently conducting cluster investigations.
While Dr Raj Kumar expressed appreciation for the performance of the field teams during his inspection, he clarified to the media that there is no laboratory confirmation to definitively attribute the deaths to measles, suggesting other causes cannot yet be ruled out.
The report also highlighted issues regarding delayed care-seeking and initial consultations with unqualified practitioners or traditional healers. According to the DHO, surveillance and outpatient data have not yet identified a confirmed measles outbreak, though detailed investigations and history-taking of linked children remain ongoing. The situation is said to be under close monitoring with all necessary response measures currently in place.
Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2026
