People say Measles Killed Some 100 Children in Nuristan

Residents of Kamdish district, Nuristan, said some 100 children have died of measles. But officials at the provincial health department said only 16 children died of measles in the district and asserted that they cannot deliver health services to Kamdish due to insecurity. According to the reports, measles spread two months ago in the district. Residents said that no step was taken to control the epidemic, and the virus has spread to other parts of the province. Meanwhile Dr. Mohammad Esmail Stanekzai, head of Nuristan health department, told Killid that in the area where the disease has spread, health workers cannot travel due to insecurity. He added that for the past two months a number of children suffering from the disease were referred to the health facility in Kamdesh district for treatment. He reiterated that the disease has claimed lives mostly in the villages which are under the control of armed opposition. Meanwhile Zabiullah Mujahid, a so-called Taleban spokesman, said that Taleban are not against vaccination in the areas under their control and they try to solve problems through tribal elders and religious scholars.