SHANGLA: Death toll from the measles outbreak has reached 10 as four more children are reported to have become victims of the disease in Shangla during last four days.

Residents of Koz Kana village said four more children died and several others were hospitalised due to measles in the last four days. They identified the deceased children as Ishrat Bibi (7) of Kotkay Alpuri, Mustafa Khan (4), Anas Shah (2) and Adil Zada of Koz Kana.

The fear-gripped residents demanded the government to take notice of the outbreak of the disease and sent medical teams to the affected areas forthwith. They alleged that despite media reports the health department was yet to come into action.

District health officer Dr Shafiul Mulk told Dawn that about 800 children had been vaccinated in the last two days during the anti-measles drive.

He, however, said they were facing shortage of vaccine, adding a demand notice for the purpose had been sent to the provincial health department.

He admitted rapid spread of the disease, and said they were using all available resources to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, district council member Gul Mohammad told Dawn that he had informed the district nazim and other authorities concerned about the outbreak of measles, but no measures were taken to control the outbreak.

He demanded of the chief minister and the health minister to take notice of the situation and dispatch special medical teams to the affected areas to vaccinate the children.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2016