Turbat, the central city of district Kech, is experiencing an alarming outbreak of measles for the past couple of weeks. Dozens of individuals, most of them children, have been infected, and the outbreak is spreading to the neighbouring areas, WHO Representative Dr Farooq Rind confirmed. He said that a medical team will be sent to assess the situation.
The outbreak is endemic, it is mostly localized to Shah Abad, a small area of a few hundred individuals. Dozens have been infected with the disease and the health ministry has turned a blind eye to the emerging health crisis.
The local sources have said that the government officials in Shah Abad are demanding a handsome amount of 15 to 20 thousand rupees to treat one individual for the disease. However, the allegations have not been confirmed.
WHO Representative Dr Farooq Rind said that measles infections have spiked in the past couple of weeks in Turbat. He said that the WHO’s regional centre took notice of the emerging outbreak and will send a team to analyze the situation. He said that the rumours about health officials demanding bribe for the treatment of infected persons will be investigated. Those found guilty will be charged and prosecuted, he said.
The number of measles infections in Balochistan has spiked for the past couple of months now. Health officials have confirmed numerous infections from throughout Balochistan. Children have been hit the hardest from the outbreak.
Measles is one of the most contagious of viral diseases that spreads from direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Experts have argued that the disease has originated in Balochistan due to the dust-carrying dry winds that have been raging in various areas. Children suffering from malnutrition or immune deficiency are particularly susceptible to the disease.
Various antiviral drugs are prescribed at various stages in the development of the disease to curb the spread of the infection.