Dhaka, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : The measles outbreak in Bangladesh continues to escalate, with three additional child fatalities reported on Wednesday. This brings the total number of deaths this year to 1,002, according to local media sources.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) noted that these deaths occurred within the last 24 hours and are currently classified as suspected measles fatalities.
As per DGHS statistics, 100 deaths have been confirmed as measles-related, while 902 remain in the suspected category.
In the past day alone, 1,119 new suspected cases emerged, increasing the total number of suspected cases to 167,580. Additionally, 69 new confirmed cases have raised the total of confirmed infections to 19,904.
Public health experts attribute this alarming situation to inadequate vaccination coverage and a lack of effective preventive measures. Infants under six months, who have not yet received the measles vaccine, are particularly vulnerable.
Health officials acknowledge significant shortcomings in the vaccination campaign. The government is in the process of procuring additional vaccines and may soon launch a targeted campaign to reach unvaccinated children.
Professor Mahmudur Rahman, chair of the National Verification Committee for Measles and Rubella Elimination, emphasized the need for the government to establish an expert committee to review vaccination data. This will help identify regions and age groups with low vaccination coverage.
He also stressed the importance of initiating targeted supplementary immunization activities in areas with significant vaccination gaps and implementing stringent public health measures to curb the outbreak.
A recent report by the Canada-based Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG) labeled this outbreak as one of the most severe public health crises in Bangladesh’s recent history. The report highlighted major factors contributing to the crisis, including disruptions in vaccine supply and health programs during 2024-25, missed routine vaccinations, cancellation of supplementary immunization programs, and administrative delays in vaccine procurement.
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