Daijiworld Media Network - Islamabad

Islamabad, Apr 26: At least 71 children have died due to measles across Pakistan in the first four months of 2026, according to official data reported by Dawn.

The province of Sindh recorded the highest number of fatalities at 40, followed by 12 deaths each in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Balochistan reported four deaths during the same period.

A total of 4,541 measles cases have been reported nationwide so far this year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leads with 1,712 cases, followed by Punjab (1,198), Sindh (1,183), and smaller numbers from other regions including Islamabad and Pakistan-administered territories.

Health officials also noted that Polio remains a persistent challenge in the country. One new case has been reported in Sindh’s Sujawal district in 2026. In previous years, Pakistan recorded 74 cases in 2024 and 31 in 2025, reflecting ongoing concerns despite vaccination efforts.

Experts highlight vaccine hesitancy as a major obstacle to controlling preventable diseases. Khalid Shafi of the Pakistan Paediatric Association emphasized the need for stronger public awareness campaigns to encourage routine immunisation.

Efforts to combat polio have also been hampered by security threats. Earlier this month, a police officer was killed and several others injured in an ???? on a security team assigned to protect vaccination workers in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities have since launched search operations to apprehend those responsible.

Pakistan, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the only countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic, with vaccination teams frequently facing risks, particularly in high-conflict regions.