Islamabad, Oct 13 (NationPress) The region of Lower South Waziristan in Pakistan has seen a significant surge in measles cases this year, raising concerns regarding public health in the tribal area, as reported by local media on Monday.

According to the official statistics provided by the health department, over 850 measles cases have been recorded in Lower South Waziristan, with the hardest-hit areas being Wana, Toi Khulla, Birmal, and Shakai tehsils, as reported by Pakistan's leading daily Dawn. Health officials indicated that this rise in measles cases is attributed to inadequate vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy among the population, particularly in remote and mountainous regions of the district.

In an interview with Dawn, Hameedullah, coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Lower South Waziristan, revealed that a majority of the infected children had not received the measles vaccine, rendering them susceptible to the outbreak.

He explained, "Our surveillance teams discovered that most of the affected children were unvaccinated. In contrast, areas with robust vaccination coverage reported very few cases." He emphasized that vaccine refusal and community resistance pose significant challenges for health workers.

Hameedullah added, "In many locations, especially among nomadic groups and isolated villages, teams encounter serious obstacles in reaching children. Some communities remain reluctant due to misconceptions surrounding vaccines." He noted that the health department has ramped up emergency operations to curb the spread of the disease, despite encountering difficulties.

He stressed that measles can be prevented through vaccination and urged parents to acknowledge the seriousness of the disease. He reiterated that collective responsibility is crucial for prevention and called upon local communities to assist vaccination teams to ensure that every child is immunized.

Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, as per a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO). It can lead to severe illness, complications, and even death. While anyone can contract measles, it predominantly affects children. Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent illness and curb its spread.