EPI takes steps to combat measles outbreak in KP

PESHAWAR: The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) launched a vaccination campaign to control the measles outbreak in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said Saturday.

The vaccination campaign was initiated after a report in The News highlighted the outbreak of measles in various parts of the province.

A spokesman for EPI said that about 26,725 children were vaccinated in response to the outbreak from January to March 2014, while an additional 200,000 children received vaccinations during the Intensified Outreach Activity from February 12 to 24, 2024.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, particularly the lack of isolation wards in major teaching hospitals in Peshawar, which has facilitated the spread of measles.

The spokesman said that a total of 3,538 suspected cases of measles have been reported, of which 1,236 have been confirmed. While only six deaths have been confirmed, paediatricians estimate a higher casualty count in the province so far. Most affected are children under 5 and above 2 years old.

Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, Director of EPI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts with FDI and partner organisations to vaccinate every child against 12 dangerous diseases, including measles.

He applauded EPI teams for their swift response, citing successful management of recent outbreaks in Kohistan district.

To address immunity gaps, a special initiative named “Big Catch-up” will commence in June 2024, targeting children older than 23 months. The first phase will be implemented province-wide. The Intensified Outreach Activity’s first round will start on March 25 in 69 union councils of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Concerning the lack of isolation wards, Dr Arif reiterated the urgent need for main hospitals in Peshawar to establish isolation facilities. He urged hospital administrations and health workers to isolate suspected patients to prevent further spread of the disease. Pediatricians in tertiary care hospitals echoed the need for immediate action to prevent the influx of measles cases from nearby districts where tertiary care hospitals and DHQ hospitals already exist.