Dhaka, July 20: In the past 24 hours, four additional children have died from suspected measles symptoms in Bangladesh. Local media reports indicate that the total number of measles-related deaths in the country has now reached 788.
All recent fatalities are considered to be linked to suspected measles cases. According to the latest updates, the number of suspected measles deaths in Bangladesh has risen to 693, while laboratory-confirmed deaths stand at 95, as reported by the United News of Bangladesh.
During the last 24 hours, Bangladesh recorded 938 new suspected measles cases, bringing the total number of suspected cases to 117,648. Additionally, 113 new confirmed cases of measles were documented, increasing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 14,431.
Earlier this month, health experts warned that the rising cases of dengue could further strain the healthcare system and increase the risk of fatalities. Hospitals in Bangladesh are already under pressure due to the daily admission of over 900 measles patients.
Reports indicate that major government hospitals in Dhaka, which previously treated thousands during the dengue outbreak, are now struggling with the burden of measles patients. Experts have cautioned that a sudden spike in dengue cases could further strain the already limited healthcare facilities, potentially impacting treatment services.
According to the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Star,’ the situation regarding dengue worsened in June. Of the total dengue cases reported this year, 48 percent and 72 percent of the total deaths occurred in June alone.
Health experts have warned that without solid measures to control the Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue during the peak monsoon months of July and August, these figures could rise even further.
Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury, an associate professor in the Internal Medicine Department at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), stated that while there has been a decrease in measles cases, the decline is not as rapid as expected.
Chowdhury noted, “At the same time, the monsoon creates a favorable environment for mosquito breeding, and dengue cases have already started to rise. This will undoubtedly add extra pressure on hospitals.”
To prevent this situation from escalating into a major public health crisis, he and other experts have urged the Bangladeshi government to enhance measures to eliminate mosquito larvae, expand temporary treatment centers, and establish separate wards or units for dengue to manage the increasing burden of both diseases.
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