Bangladesh’s measles outbreak continues to worsen, with five more children dying from measles and measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours leading up to this morning, taking the total death toll to 666.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest fatalities were classified as suspected measles-related deaths. Of the total deaths recorded since mid-March, 93 have been laboratory-confirmed measles fatalities, while 573 children died after exhibiting measles-like symptoms.
The DGHS reported that 1,009 new patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide during the same period. Additionally, 139 new cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, raising the total number of confirmed infections to 10,773.
Since the outbreak intensified in March, Bangladesh has recorded 89,904 suspected measles cases. Combined with confirmed infections, the total number of reported measles and measles-like cases has now crossed 100,000, making it one of the country’s worst outbreaks in recent decades.
The majority of infections and deaths have been reported among children. Public health experts have linked the severity of the outbreak to gaps in routine immunisation and disruptions in vaccination campaigns over the past two years.
Health authorities continue to urge parents to ensure eligible children receive measles vaccinations as efforts to contain the outbreak continue across the country.