NAWABSHAH, May 12: Two children died of measles in deh Phulail of Doulatpur taluka on Friday. The deceased were identified as Nida, 6, daughter of Mohammad Yaqoob Jatt, and Shumaila, 5, daughter of Mohammad Yousuf Jatt.

The contagious disease has severely affected deh Phulail and adjoining areas and over a dozen children are reported to have been affected.

Rashid Ali Arain, councillor of the Union Council Shahpur Jehanian, told Dawn that two children had died in his village due to measles.

The deaths were immediately reported to the In-charge of the basic health unit who visited the area on Friday and assured him of sending a team of senior doctors on Saturday.

Dr Nazir Ahmed Zardari at the office of the Executive District Health’s office told this correspondent that a team of doctors visited the affected village last week and vaccinated the children but he was not aware of death of any children in the area. He said that it was a viral disease.

He said that a child could contract the disease even if he is vaccinated and advised revaccination. He said symptoms of measles included flu followed by high fever. Spots would also appear on the body of the patient who must contact the nearest physician or health centre, he added.