Karachi: A measles outbreak has claimed at least 71 lives across Pakistan in the first four months of 2026, with the majority of victims being children, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Sindh province has recorded the highest mortality toll, accounting for 40 of the national deaths. Ministry sources indicate that the province has reported over 4,000 suspected cases, with more than 1,100 laboratory-confirmed infections.
Nationally, health authorities have logged approximately 16,000 suspected measles cases, of which roughly 4,541 have been confirmed through laboratory testing.
The outbreak has also affected other provinces significantly. Punjab reported around 12 deaths and over 1,600 suspected cases in the first four weeks of the year, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 12 deaths alongside more than 1,700 confirmed cases. Balochistan has seen a smaller impact, with four deaths and fewer confirmed cases reported so far.
Health officials have not yet issued a detailed statement on vaccination drives or containment strategies, though the surge in cases has raised concerns regarding immunization coverage in high-risk areas.
