In a concerning public health development, Punjab has reported 1,695 suspected measles cases within the first four weeks of 2026, with 330 of these cases confirmed through laboratory testing. This alarming statistic was revealed in a report submitted by the Director General of Health Services to the Lahore High Court, which was filed in response to a petition regarding measles-related fatalities. The report also indicated that 40 outbreak alerts have been issued across the province, highlighting the urgent need for effective health interventions. Comparatively, Punjab saw 23,680 suspected cases in 2024, with 6,747 confirmed cases and 16 deaths, while 2025 recorded 19,913 suspected cases and 4,000 confirmed cases, resulting in four deaths. The DG Health Services has noted that monitoring and surveillance systems have been enhanced in light of the current outbreak, with several high-level meetings convened to address the situation. According to the DG, "Monitoring and surveillance systems have been strengthened in response to this year’s outbreak."