Measles outbreak claims 8 more children in 24 hours

Eight more children have died from measles and its complications across Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, while 1,185 new infections and suspected cases were reported, according to the latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The latest measles situation report, released on Monday, said the deaths occurred between Sunday morning and Monday morning. The new fatalities bring the total death toll from measles and measles-like symptoms to 628 since the outbreak began on March 15.

Of the eight deaths reported in the past 24 hours, one child died after laboratory-confirmed measles infection, while seven others died with measles-related symptoms. The fatalities were recorded across several divisions, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur.

Health authorities reported 1,185 new infections and suspected cases during the same period. Among them, 1,092 were classified as suspected measles cases, while laboratory tests confirmed infection in 93 children, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 9,779.

Since March 15, a total of 80,104 children have developed measles symptoms or suspected infections nationwide. Hospital admissions also continue to rise, with 974 children admitted in the last 24 hours alone.

Despite the surge, 1,194 children were discharged from hospitals after recovery during the reporting period. So far, 61,278 children have recovered and returned home, out of 65,237 hospital admissions recorded since the outbreak began.

According to the DGHS, 92 of the total deaths were among laboratory-confirmed measles patients, while 536 children died after developing severe measles symptoms.

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Health experts have urged parents to ensure timely vaccination and seek immediate medical attention if children develop fever, skin rashes or other symptoms associated with measles, warning that unvaccinated and malnourished children remain the most vulnerable to the disease.