LAHORE – On the directions of Punjab Health Secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, the Health Department is launching a 12-day preventive campaign from January 17 against measles, during which medical teams will administer injections to children between 6 months to 6 years of age.
Lahore Health Executive District Officer Dr Umer Farooq Baloch informed that the department has constituted 500 medical teams for this campaign, who will not only visit door-to-door but also visit government as well as private schools for this purpose.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Children Hospital Medical Director Dr Ahsan Rathore said measles is a viral and droplet infection which spreads from person to person. He said initially it is like flu, causing runny nose, watery eyes, cough and fever.
It further results into high grade fever and rashes all over the body. “Complications are severe resulting in pneumonia and fits during fever. Overcrowding, malnutrition and low immunity are major reasons for the incidence of this disease,” Rathore said adding that breast feeding was the natural protection against measles. It is an epidemic in Pakistan and cold weather further facilitates it, however, vaccination at the age of nine months can ensure life long immunity, he concluded.
