4 more deaths with measles symptoms reported in 24-hour

Four more children died with measles symptoms in the last 24-hour reporting period as the country continues to battle a worsening outbreak that has now claimed the lives of at least 144 children showing symptoms of the highly contagious disease this year.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed the deaths on Friday, covering the period from 8 AM Thursday to 8 AM Friday. 

During the same window, 1,177 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country with measles-like symptoms, of whom 168 were confirmed positive for the virus.

According to the health authority's bulletin, laboratory-confirmed measles deaths among children have reached 23 so far this year, while 144 children have died presenting measles symptoms but without confirmed diagnoses in all cases. 

Between March 15 and April 10, a total of 2,409 confirmed measles cases and 13,497 suspected cases have been identified nationwide, the DGHS reported. Of those hospitalized, 6,609 patients have been treated and discharged.