LARKANA: A double tragedy has struck the town of Naudero after two young children from the same household died of measles within 12 hours of each other, sparking fears of a wider outbreak in the Garibabad locality.

Arshad Ali Jogi, the 18-month-old son of Ayaz Jogi, succumbed to the viral infection on Monday. His cousin, two-year-old Zainab, daughter of Imran Jogi, passed away just hours later. Both children were buried on Tuesday at their respective ancestral graveyards in Ratodero and Gharibabad.

Families in mourning

The back-to-back deaths have sent shockwaves through the community. Relatives confirmed that the children died shortly after being treated by an unlicensed practitioner.

Imran Jogi, who returned from Karachi following the news, informed health officials that the family had initially sought help from a “quack” doctor who diagnosed the pair with measles. Following Arshad’s death, the family reportedly turned to traditional remedies, including “Mata ki Lori” for Zainab. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died six hours later.

A third child in the house, Zehra, has also contracted the virus and is reportedly suffering from neurological complications.

Health department response

Larkana District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Shoukat Ali Abro visited the bereaved family on Tuesday alongside a medical team.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease,” Dr Abro warned. “Parents must take their children to the qualified paediatricians at Naudero Hospital. Resorting to quacks and faith healers only endangers lives.”

In a statement to Dawn, the DHO claimed that both children were fully vaccinated against measles and polio, citing available records.

However, he acknowledged a critical shortage of health workers in Naudero, with only three staff members currently covering the hospital and local vaccination drives.

He told this reporter that a three-day “mop-up” vaccination exercise has begun. A medical camp and a door-to-door drive led by lady health workers will target Gharibabad and the Jogi neighbourhood immediately.

While the DHO maintained that the situation across the wider Larkana district is “not critical”, local residents remain on edge. Many have reported that several other children in the area are currently suffering from high fevers, leading to calls for more robust government intervention to contain the spread.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026