Bangladesh’s measles outbreak continued to worsen on Thursday as 12 more children died from measles and measles-like symptoms within 24 hours, including six deaths reported in the Dhaka division, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
In its latest situation report, the DGHS said one of the deceased children had tested positive for measles, while the remaining 11 showed measles-related symptoms.
The fatalities were reported from several divisions, including Dhaka, Barishal, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
During the same period, 1,238 more children across the country developed measles-like symptoms, reflecting the continued rapid spread of the outbreak. Since 15 March, Bangladesh has recorded 57 laboratory-confirmed measles deaths and 279 deaths involving measles-like symptoms.
Health authorities say more than 45,000 children have developed symptoms during the outbreak, with over 31,000 requiring hospitalisation.
The crisis has been further complicated by an ongoing shortage of measles testing kits, which has disrupted diagnostic services nationwide.
Officials at the Institute of Public Health said thousands of samples remain backlogged as laboratories can currently process only a limited number of tests daily.
The shortage has raised fresh concerns over the government’s preparedness and response, particularly after earlier warnings from UNICEF and the World Health Organisation about declining immunisation coverage and vaccine supply disruptions.
UNICEF previously said changes in Bangladesh’s vaccine procurement process during the interim administration delayed vaccine supplies and weakened routine immunisation efforts, contributing to immunity gaps among children.