Four more children have died from measles-like symptoms across the country in the 24 hours leading up to 8am on Sunday (14 June), according to official data released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

With these new fatalities, the total death toll from measles and related symptoms has climbed to 652.

During the same 24-hour period, a total of 1,052 patients presenting with measles-like symptoms were admitted to various hospitals nationwide.

Among these new hospitalisations, 75 cases were officially confirmed as measles through laboratory testing.

DGHS statistics reveal a surge in infections and fatalities so far this year. Of the total 652 deaths recorded, at least 92 children died from laboratory-confirmed measles infections, while 560 children succumbed to illness with symptoms consistent with the disease.

The health directorate's data further shows that between 15 March and 14 June, a total of 10,323 measles cases were strictly confirmed through laboratory tests.According to the latest health bulletin, a staggering 85,951 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide since the beginning of the year. On a positive note, the bulletin reported that 66,841 of these patients have already been discharged from hospitals after successfully receiving treatment till the time stated above.