June 24, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1428

BADIN, June 23: The outbreak of measles in a village Bookhy 10km away from Badin has assumed the proportion of an epidemic as hundreds of children are reported to be inflicted by it in almost all five talukas.

This correspondent visited Bookhy on Friday where more than two dozen children were reported to be suffering from the disease with 30 cases in Badin.

District hospitals lack specialised paediatric services except for civil hospitals of Badin and Matli.

Measles, a viral infection begins with running nose, irritation in eyes, high fever and rash on face. It requires extra care as slight negligence can turn it into pneumonia and meningitis, said Dr Suleman.

The doctor had appealed to keep sick children away from the healthy and recommended intake of vitamin A.

Though there could not be found the exact number of cases or deaths but the disease had scared the population.Citing reasons for the outbreak, Dr Abdul Rehman cited poor immunization coverage of children, lack of rainfall and influx of outsiders in the city.