LAHORE, June 4: The government hospitals have started vaccinating daily the children between nine and 23 months of age against measles.

It is learnt that around 450 measles cases have been reported in the Lahore district so far. Health Department officials claimed that the number of measles cases was now on the decrease. They said there was no outbreak of measles and the cases represented a seasonal trend. They said the department was also strengthening the routine immunization.

The officials said the disease usually subsided within two weeks and created a permanent immunity against itself. The affected children have running noses, red watery eyes and mild cough and fever. Such children should immediately be taken to the nearest health facility. They also said that the affected children should be quarantined and should not be sent to schools.

The district officer (Health) told Dawn his office was maintaining a complete record of the measles cases in the district.