Measles death toll climbs to 1,104

Bangladesh's measles-related death toll has risen to 1,104, after five more people died with measles symptoms in the 24 hours to September 29, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported, underscoring the stubborn persistence of an outbreak that has now stretched across more than six months.

Of the total fatalities, 1,003 were suspected measles deaths, and 101 were laboratory-confirmed. Furthermore, 84 new confirmed infections were recorded during the same period, raising the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 21,392 since March 15. Meanwhile, suspected cases increased by 1,255 in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the nationwide cumulative tally to 190,510.

Since the outbreak began, 168,655 patients with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals, of whom 161,798 have subsequently been discharged, according to DGHS data. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of admissions illustrates the considerable strain that the epidemic continues to place on the country's healthcare system.

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In response, a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting children who missed routine immunisation was launched in late September. Consequently, the authorities hope to close the remaining immunity gaps and curb transmission, although the campaign's success will depend largely on how many unvaccinated children it manages to reach in the weeks ahead.