Dhaka, May 17: Bangladesh is grappling with a severe measles outbreak, with six more children reported dead in the last 24 hours. This brings the total death toll to 459.
According to a report by the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed that one of these deaths was directly linked to measles, while the other five remain under investigation.
The confirmed measles-related deaths have now reached 75, with 384 fatalities categorized as suspected cases.
In the past 24 hours, there have been 1,274 suspected measles cases reported, raising the total number of cases to 57,846. The report indicates that 243 new confirmed cases of measles were identified, bringing the total number of infected individuals to 7,767.
Since March 15, a staggering 42,092 suspected patients have been hospitalized, with 37,744 having recovered and returned home.
On Saturday, 12 children died from measles and measles-like symptoms, according to The Daily Star. Four of these cases were confirmed as measles, while the remaining eight exhibited similar symptoms.
As the outbreak spreads rapidly, health experts are urging the Bangladeshi government to prioritize the ongoing measles vaccination campaign. They also recommend establishing ‘Fever Corners’ at local health centers to facilitate early detection of measles and pneumonia.
This appeal was made during a joint press conference organized by the Bangladesh Lung Foundation and the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, protesters under the banner of ‘Sochoton Civil Society’ formed a human chain in the Dhaka neighborhood of Dhanmondi 27. They demanded action against former interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus and his health advisor, Noorjahan Begum, regarding the deaths caused by measles. They also called for compensation for the affected families.
Since mid-March, over 400 deaths have been reported in Bangladesh. A recent report described the situation as a “preventable crisis,” accusing Yunus’s previous interim government of dismantling an existing vaccine procurement system without establishing a proper replacement.
–
Leave a Comment