7 children die in measles outbreak within 24 hours

Seven children have died from measles and related symptoms in the past 24 hours in Bangladesh, while hospitals reported 1,654 new admissions amid a worsening outbreak, according to the Health Directorate.

Of the seven deaths, two were confirmed as measles cases and five were suspected, the Health Emergency Operation Centre said in a bulletin on Wednesday.

Officials said the country has recorded a sharp rise in infections since mid-March, with thousands of children affected and hospitalised. Health data shows tens of thousands of suspected cases and confirmed infections over the past two months, with many children recovering after treatment.

However, efforts to control the outbreak are being hampered by a severe shortage of testing kits at the country’s only measles and rubella laboratory at the Institute of Public Health (IPH). Testing capacity has dropped by about 75 percent, with only 13 kits remaining and thousands of samples pending.

Read More: Govt imports 1.5 million doses of measles vaccine

Laboratory officials said testing has fallen from around 700 samples per day to about 120–130, causing significant delays in diagnosis and reporting.

Public health experts have called the situation “alarming,” citing weak preparedness and overdependence on external supply sources for testing kits. They said the shortage is undermining outbreak control efforts.

IPH officials said 130 new kits are expected from the World Health Organization, with an initial batch of 30 likely to arrive soon, which may restore partial testing capacity.

Health officials said doctors are continuing treatment based on clinical symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, and red eyes, despite limitations in laboratory confirmation.

Authorities have urged stronger vaccination drives and increased public awareness to contain the outbreak.