TDS Desk:

Four more children have died from measles or measles-like symptoms across the country within a single 24-hour period, health authorities confirmed on Sunday, as the country’s ongoing outbreak shows little sign of abating.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported the deaths occurred between 8 AM on Saturday and 8 AM on Sunday (April 19).

During the same period, 1,197 patients presenting with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the country, of whom 165 cases were confirmed as measles through laboratory testing.

The latest fatalities add to an already alarming toll. At least 36 children have died this year from laboratory-confirmed measles infections, while a further 181 children have died presenting symptoms consistent with the disease, bringing the total suspected measles-related child deaths to more than 200.

Confirmed cases have risen sharply in recent weeks. According to DGHS data, laboratory testing identified 3,443 confirmed measles infections between March 15 and April 19 alone.

The broader scale of the outbreak is reflected in surveillance figures showing 23,606 suspected measles cases identified nationwide so far. Of those, 12,396 patients have been discharged following treatment, while thousands remain under medical care.