Six more people have lost their lives to suspected measles symptoms within the past 24 hours, while 1,402 new cases—comprising both clinical manifestations and laboratory-confirmed infections—have been recorded across the country.

According to an official press release issued on Wednesday, 4th November, by the control room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the vast majority of recent admissions present with classic measles symptoms. Out of the newly reported cases over the latest 24-hour reporting period, 1,325 patients exhibited clinical symptoms of the disease, whereas 77 cases were definitively confirmed through laboratory tests.

Health authorities have been monitoring the trajectory of the disease closely since the current outbreak surveillance commenced on 15th March. Official statistics covering the period from 15th March to 4th November reveal that the cumulative number of individuals presenting with measles symptoms has reached 234,148. Among these, laboratory screening has confirmed 24,150 cases nationwide.

The heavy influx of patients has placed considerable pressure on public health infrastructure. A total of 208,634 individuals suffering from measles symptoms have required hospital admission since mid-March. Medical facilities have successfully treated and discharged 199,894 patients following their recovery over the same timeframe.

The human toll of the outbreak remains a major concern for epidemiologists and healthcare providers. While no deaths were attributed to laboratory-confirmed measles over the last 24 hours, the six newly reported fatalities linked to suspected symptoms bring the total toll of symptom-related deaths to 1,164 since 15th March. Meanwhile, the official death toll among laboratory-confirmed measles cases stands at 105.

Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral infection that primarily affects children. It typically causes high fever, respiratory distress, coughing, and a distinctive cutaneous rash. Although preventable through timely vaccination, severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and severe dehydration can prove fatal, particularly among malnourished infants or individuals with compromised immune systems. Health officials continue to emphasise the necessity of routine childhood immunisation programmes and targeted campaign drives to curb further transmission across vulnerable communities.