Measles Cases Rise in Afghanistan's Ghor Province, 994 Children Hospitalized in 10 Months

FIROZKOH, Afghanistan (Afghan Verified) -- Health officials in western Ghor province report a rise in measles cases this year, with 994 children hospitalized at the provincial hospital over the past 10 months and six deaths recorded.

Fazl-ul-Haq Farjad, a doctor at Ghor Provincial Hospital, said the highly contagious viral disease, which primarily affects children and spreads through coughing, sneezing and close contact, begins with high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by rashes. "In the past ten months, 994 patients were admitted and treated, and unfortunately we recorded six deaths due to measles during this period," Farjad told Pajhwok Afghan News. He noted 618 cases at the hospital last year with no deaths and said 20 children are currently hospitalized.

Officials urged families to seek treatment at health centers as soon as symptoms appear to control the disease. Farjad attributed delays to lack of awareness.

Nargis, a 29-year-old mother from Dara-e-Qazi area in Firozkoh, said her eight-month-old baby worsened after home remedies before hospital admission for measles. Another mother, Razia, 35, from Shahrak-e-Muhajireen, also delayed care for her child, relying on home treatments amid high fever and chest tightness. Both called for greater awareness campaigns targeting women.

Abdul Wahid Hamas, head of the Ghor Public Health Department, said a province-wide measles vaccination campaign is underway, with teams at health centers and awareness via television screens. More than 50,000 children have been vaccinated in the past 10 months, he added, and services continue for patients.