Measles outbreak kills over 130 children in Afghanistan

KABUL (AA): More than 130 children have died from the measles epidemic in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year.

After the US army withdrew from the country, international aid was cut off and the economic crisis deepened.

Children are the most affected by war, hunger and poverty.

At least 16,000 children have been infected with measles across the country since the start of 2022, according to data released by the Taliban interim government. Authorities reported that more than 130 children died from measles during that time.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Javid Hajir said that measles is usually seen in children who are not vaccinated.

“Around 3,300 people were infected with measles and 108 children died in 2021. This year, the number of cases increased visibly,” Hajir added.

There is no adequate place in hospitals in the capital Kabul.

Mohammed Arif Hasanzey, the head of the contagious disease department at Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kabul, stated that the most important reason for increased cases is the weakening children due to hunger.

World Health Organization (WHO) launched a vaccination campaign against measles on 12 March.

In the measles vaccination campaign, thousands of health workers aim to vaccinate more than 1.2 million children under the age of 5 in Afghanistan.