QUETTA: At least 13 children died of measles in Zhob and Awaran districts of Balochistan in the last few days, officials said on Saturday.

Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri took notice of the situation and the provincial health department sent a team of doctors to the remote areas in the two districts where the deaths were reported.

“Nine children, including four girls aged six to seven, died in three villages in the Tansara union council of Zhob district in the last three days,” said the district’s vice chairman, Maulvi Jarullah.

The disease broke out in villages of Kakshai, Killi Bayanzai and Killi Zakriyazai, he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Zhob Muhammad Azim Kakar and District Health Officer Dr Muzaffar Shah confirmed the outbreak of measles and said a team of doctors had been dispatched to the affected areas along with the required medicine.

“We will be able to confirm the exact death toll after the medical team returns from the affected areas,” said Dr Shah. The death of four children was reported from Mashkay in Awaran district.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2016