More than 100 children in Karachi have died from diphtheria this year due to the unavailability of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT), despite the disease being preventable through vaccination, disclosed a Sindh health department official.

The number of diphtheria cases and children’s deaths due to the disease have grown exponentially in the megalopolis.

All the diphtheria cases were being referred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH).

According to the provincial health official, last year, 140 cases were received by the SIDH and 52 of them could not make it. Whereas, over 10 kids were under treatment at the hospital at the moment, they added.

However, following the publishing of this report, the Sindh Health Department later claimed that only 28 children, not 100, lost their lives in 2024.

“This year, 166 diphtheria cases have been reported in Sindh, out of which 28 deaths took place,” it said.

Meanwhile, experts of infectious diseases said the antitoxin medicine used against the disease was not available across Sindh, including Karachi. They said antitoxin worth Rs0.25 million was used for treating one child.

“The only cure for diphtheria is complete vaccination and treatment with antitoxin,” said experts.

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called ‘Corynebacterium diphtheria that make toxins. It can lead to breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death. Pakistani children are given a vaccine, a combination of five vaccines that protects from five major diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b (DTP-hepB-Hib), the experts added.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Muhammad Arif Khan had said last year that diphtheria was a life-threatening disease and timely vaccination was the sole way to prevent fatal ailment and its outbreaks in the community.

“It primarily affects the throat and upper respiratory tract but can also lead to systemic complications. Diphtheria is known for the formation of a greyish-white membrane in the throat, which can cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing.”

A disease that has been eradicated in most countries around the world has lingered on in Pakistan and it is not an enviable situation for the country and its health authorities. Keeping in view the fact that diphtheria is a lethal bacterial infection, there should not be any compromise in its vaccination to all children.

Three passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia have shown symptoms of monkeypox during medical screening, on Sunday.

According to sources, the passengers upon arrival from Saudi Arabia were screened, during which signs of monkeypox were detected.

The passengers have been transferred to the Sindh Government Hospital located in NIPA area for further evaluation and care.

Airport authorities have disinfected the immigration area and walkways with spray as a precautionary measure, the sources added.

Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the Mpox virus. Although the natural reservoir of the virus remains unidentified, African rodents and non-human primates (such as monkeys) are suspected to harbor the virus and transmit it to humans.

The disease typically manifests with a rash that appears 1 to 3 days following the onset of fever, starting on the face and then spreading to other areas of the body. The rash progresses through several stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs.

Additional symptoms may include headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period generally ranges from 7 to 14 days but can vary between 5 and 21 days. The illness usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks.

Shagufta Ijaz, a prominent figure in Pakistani television, is mourning the loss of her husband, Yahya Siddiqui, who has passed away after a prolonged struggle with cancer.

Shagufta confirmed the tragic news through an Instagram post, sharing a heartfelt message with her followers. “My husband Yahya Siddiqui has passed away. Kindly recite Surah Fatiha for his maghfirat,” she wrote, accompanying the post with a poignant photograph of Yahya Siddiqui.

Yahya had been receiving treatment for cancer at a private hospital for the past five years.

His illness was well-known within the community, and his passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

Shagufta had celebrated their wedding anniversary in the hospital with Yahyajust days before his death, a poignant gesture that addressed some of the criticism she faced regarding her personal life.

Earlier, she had defended herself against social media backlash related to her international travels, vowing to never forgive those who spread false accusations.

The couple had two daughters together, while each brought children from previous marriages into their family. Yahya’s death marks a significant personal loss for Shagufta, who has been a beloved figure in Pakistani drama.

Messages of sympathy have been pouring in from across the entertainment industry, with many expressing their sorrow and offering their condolences to Shagufta and her family during this difficult time.

Pakistani drama actress Hira Khan has made a shocking revelation regarding inappropriate demands during an audition process.

In an interview that has since gone viral on social media, Hira shared her experience of being asked by a well-known casting director to audition in revealing clothes, late at night.

The actress explained that a fellow colleague suggested she audition for the director’s upcoming drama, as he was known to be seeking new talent.

Upon contacting him, Hira was surprised when, instead of asking for her portfolio or past work, the director invited her directly to an audition.

Hira stated, “I told him I could come for the audition at 3 p.m., but he insisted that I arrive at 11 p.m. and wear short clothes for the audition.”

Shocked by the request, Hira refused, explaining that she doesn’t wear revealing outfits on-screen nor attend auditions so late at night.

The director allegedly reassured her that the audition would be private, only for the producers and himself to see.

She declined the offer and later recounted the incident to another industry director, who informed her that such demands are often scams and fraudulent.