Kathmandu, Jan. 26 -- The Ministry of Health and Population on Monday launched a measles vaccination drive in disease-hit areas of Malangawa Municipality as part of the outbreak response.

At least seven children tested positive, and 16 others were hospitalised with measles infection in the first week of January.

"Around 8,000 children between six months and 14 years from ward-3 and its adjoining wards-2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 will be vaccinated," said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare division, under the Department of Health Services. "We are using vaccines from our own stock, which was purchased for routine immunisation."

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through fluids f...