MSF voices concern at increasing measles cases

KABUL (Pajhwok): Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has voiced grave concern at the increasing incidence of measles in Afghanistan.

Herat, Kunduz and Helmand are the worst-hit provinces, according to the humanitarian medical organisation, also known as Doctors Without Borders.

In the past week alone, 90 children with measles were admitted to a special ward in Herat, MSF said on Wednesday.

Last week, announced the opening of a special 60-bed ward for measles patients at the provincial hospital. Now all beds are occupied by measles patients.

Helmand and Kunduz provinces recorded the highest number of measles cases in the past week, MSF said.

Earlier in the week, World Health Organization (WHO) said at least 43,000 children had contracted the disease so far during the current year.

mud