Measles claims six more children as toll hits 1,170

Bangladesh’s ongoing measles outbreak has claimed the lives of six more children in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,170 since 15 March, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In its latest bulletin, released on Tuesday, the DGHS reported 1,074 new patients with measles-like symptoms and 149 additional confirmed cases. Dhaka recorded the highest number of new symptomatic cases at 295, followed by Chattogram with 246 and Sylhet with 142, whereas Chattogram accounted for 67 of the newly confirmed infections and Dhaka for 63. Of the six latest fatalities, three occurred in Dhaka Division, two in Chattogram and one in Sylhet.

Since the outbreak began, the country has registered 22,712 confirmed cases and 207,371 suspected or symptomatic cases. Furthermore, the cumulative toll comprises 104 deaths from confirmed measles and 1,066 deaths linked to symptoms and complications. In addition, 184,269 children have been hospitalised with the disease or related symptoms, of whom 176,672 have been discharged after treatment.

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Meanwhile, the authorities are stepping up supplementary vaccination campaigns, surveillance and door-to-door outreach, particularly in densely populated urban settlements and hard-to-reach areas. Health experts warn, however, that unvaccinated and malnourished children face a heightened risk of severe complications, including pneumonia, acute diarrhoea and encephalitis.