KHAR, May 24: A measles outbreak has killed eight children and afflicting over a dozen in different areas of Bajaur Agency over the last few days.

Locals told Dawn on Thursday that children in far-flung villages of Utmankhel and Barang tehsils were the worst hit by measles. Hazrat Gul, a Uthmankhel resident, said five children died in his village.

A local health official Dr Khursheed Khan confirmed the measles outbreak in the agency. He said there were reports about deaths of children by measles in various localities, where health teams had been sent for verification.

Hamid Khan, a social worker in Barang tehsil, said the measles outbreak was reported in the area four days ago but there was no emergency response from health officials as yet despite repeated requests. It is learnt that routine immunisation campaign has been suspended for three months in several areas of the agency. — Correspondent