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7 more children die of measles-like symptoms in 24 hours
Seven more children have died of measles and measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am Friday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the same period, 172 confirmed measles cases and 1,215 suspected cases were reported across the country.
The 'suspected' cases lack a lab-tested confirmation. Measles patients, due to their distinct symptoms, are not always tested in the lab, of which there is a severe shortage anyway.
The DGHS said a total of 19,705 suspected patients have so far been hospitalised. Of them, 16,527 have recovered.
Starting from March 15, DGHS has recorded and notified fatalities related to measles under two categories: confirmed deaths from measles, and suspected deaths from measles, measles symptoms were present but the patient wasn't tested in the lab. As of today, the DGHS is reporting 198 suspected deaths from measles, alongside 42 confirmed.
On Thursday, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) said in a statement that this reporting method is giving rise to confusion among the public, and added that the 'suspected' cases must be counted as deaths from measles, reports UNB.
If that directive is to be followed, 240 children have died since March 15 of measles.