Measles, measles-like symptoms claim 1,002 lives since March: DGHS

More than 1,000 people have died from measles and measles-like illnesses since March 15, with three more deaths reported in the latest 24-hour period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The latest deaths, all involving measles-like symptoms, have taken the overall toll to 1,002, including 902 deaths among patients with measles-like symptoms and 100 confirmed measles deaths, the DGHS Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room said in its regular bulletin on Wednesday (September 9).

A total of 1,119 new patients with measles-like symptoms were identified in the 24 hours to Wednesday, while 69 new confirmed measles cases were reported.

Since March 15, the country has recorded 167,580 patients with measles-like symptoms and 19,904 confirmed measles cases. Of those with measles-like symptoms, 147,393 have been hospitalised, while 141,819 have recovered and been discharged, according to DGHS data.

No death from confirmed measles was reported in the latest 24-hour period. The confirmed measles death toll, however, has remained at 100 since March 15.

The combined death toll had reached 999 by September 8 before the latest three deaths pushed it past the 1,000 mark.