A sharp rise in measles cases has gripped Karachi, with health officials reporting over 1,200 confirmed infections in the city this year alone, marking a worrying trend in Pakistan’s largest urban center. The Sindh Health Department has declared the situation a public health emergency, as hospitals struggle to accommodate the influx of patients, predominantly children under the age of five.
Dr. Ayesha Khan, a senior official at the Sindh Health Department, stated during a press briefing on Wednesday that the outbreak has already claimed 12 lives in Karachi, with the death toll across the province climbing to 25. “We are seeing a rapid spread in densely populated areas with low vaccination rates,” she said, pointing to neighborhoods like Orangi and Korangi as epicenters of the surge. The highly contagious nature of measles, which spreads through respiratory droplets, has exacerbated the crisis in these overcrowded communities.
Local hospitals are stretched thin, with Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) reporting a 40% increase in pediatric ward admissions over the past month. Dr. Faisal Mehmood, a pediatrician at JPMC, described the situation as “overwhelming.” He noted that many children arriving at the hospital are already in advanced stages of the disease, showing symptoms like high fever, rash, and severe respiratory distress. “We’ve had to set up temporary isolation units to manage the caseload,” he added.
Health officials attribute the outbreak to a combination of vaccine hesitancy and disruptions in routine immunization programs during recent years. The Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) estimates that measles vaccination coverage in some parts of Karachi has dipped below 60%, far short of the 95% needed to achieve herd immunity. Misinformation about vaccine safety, coupled with logistical challenges in reaching marginalized communities, has left thousands of children vulnerable.
In response, the Sindh government has launched an emergency vaccination drive targeting children aged six months to five years. Mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to high-risk areas, offering free measles-rubella (MR) shots door-to-door. Additionally, public awareness campaigns are being rolled out via radio, television, and social media to counter myths and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. “This is a preventable tragedy,” Dr. Khan emphasized. “One dose of the vaccine can save a life.”
The outbreak has also raised concerns about potential complications, as measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term neurological damage in severe cases. Health officials are urging parents to seek immediate medical attention if children exhibit early signs of the disease, such as fever, cough, and a telltale rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward.
Community leaders and local NGOs have stepped in to assist, distributing informational pamphlets and organizing health camps in collaboration with the government. However, challenges remain, particularly in slum areas where sanitation is poor and access to healthcare is limited. “We need more than vaccines—we need education and trust,” said Rubina Bibi, a community worker in Lyari.
International health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have offered support, providing technical assistance and additional vaccine supplies. The WHO has warned that without swift action, the outbreak could spill over into neighboring provinces, posing a broader regional threat.
As Karachi grapples with this escalating crisis, health officials are calling for collective action to curb the spread. “This is a wake-up call,” Dr. Khan said. “We cannot afford to let preventable diseases reclaim our children’s lives.” For now, the city remains on high alert, with families urged to stay vigilant and prioritize immunization in the face of a growing epidemic.
