KHAR, Oct 29: Two children died and several others were affected on Tuesday due to outbreak of measles in different areas of Barang tehsil of Bajaur agency.

Local residents told Dawn that the disease had hit the far-flung Sar Lara village, killing two children and affecting several others.

Bakhat Rawan, a local, identified the victims as Sohail Khan, 10, a class three student, and Aisha, 5.He said that the disease was spreading fast in the area due to lack of health facilities.

The people demanded of the agency administration and the local health department to send vaccination teams to the area. `The situation may become worse if prompt action is not taken, they feared.

Agency Surgeon Dr Zakir Hussian confirmed the measles outbreak in the area and said that two children had died and at least six others had been affected in Sar Lara area ofBarang.

He told Dawn that several teams, including vaccinators and paramedics, along with medicines had been sent to the affected area to vaccinate the children.

`We are aware of the situation and ensuring timely vaccination of the affected people,` he added.

To a question Dr Hussian said the health department would soon launch anti-measles immunisation campaign across the agency.