KASUR: Two minors have died, while six other children belonging to gypsy families have been hospitalised so far due to suspected measles outbreak in Khalil Shah locality of Phoolnagar in Pattoki tehsil.

Health department teams from Lahore and Kasur reached the affected village on Saturday and started initial treatment of the children, while launching a medical probe into the matter.

As per health officials, a minor girl, Nazia (5) and a boy Adeel (6), belonging to a gypsy family, had died a few days back due to suspected measles.

According to a residents of the locality, the victims were treated by local quacks and faith healers and not taken to any public hospital.

Six others hospitalised

However, they said, the gypsy families in the locality got worried when more children in 1-5 age group started showing the disease symptoms, and rushed them to the public health facilities in the area.

The sick children identified as Rehman (2), Lubna (1), Sawera (4), Ibatat (3), Shahzadi (3), and Sandal (2), were brought to the local Basic Health unit on Friday, apparently with symptoms of measles but, on Saturday they were shifted to Pattoki THQ Hospital, health officials said.

They said District Health Officer Dr Farooque Haider, along with his team, reached the locality and started probing into the issue. A team from Lahore also arrived there and initiated medical investigations, they added.

The DHO and health authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Talha were not available for their comments.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Arshad Bhatti told Dawn that the two minor children have died of “measles”.

He, however, added that their families did not bring the children to any public hospital and got them treated from local quacks for at least five days.

He said the children admitted to the Pattoki THQ Hospital have been vaccinated and were “stable”.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2024