Dhaka, July 11: The measles outbreak in Bangladesh continues to take a tragic toll on children. Between Friday and Saturday morning, three more young lives were lost, bringing the total death count to 753.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh has classified these three deaths as suspected cases of measles.
According to the latest data, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 660, while confirmed measles fatalities remain at 93.
In the past 24 hours, there have been 702 new suspected cases of measles reported. This brings the total number of suspected cases nationwide to 110,601.
During the same period, 84 new laboratory tests confirmed measles infections, raising the total confirmed cases to 13,410.
Health department statistics indicate that since March 15, a total of 93,491 patients with suspected measles symptoms have been hospitalized. Of these, 89,762 have recovered and returned home.
In light of the rising cases, health officials are maintaining close surveillance and urging parents to ensure timely vaccinations for their children. They also advise seeking immediate medical assistance if measles symptoms appear.
A recent report published in the Bangladeshi daily, The Daily Star, highlights that adverse conditions, malnutrition, lack of primary health services, delays in treatment, and rising medical costs are contributing to the rapid spread of measles and other infectious diseases among children under five.
The report states that measles has once again emerged as a serious public health challenge in Bangladesh. Each year, approximately 24,000 children under five die from pneumonia in the country, averaging about 60 deaths per day. Experts warn that malnourished children face significantly higher risks of severe complications and death from diseases like measles and pneumonia.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, with a transmission capacity considered even greater than that of the coronavirus. Malnourished infants and young children are particularly vulnerable.
The report also notes a continuous decline in vaccination coverage for children in Bangladesh. In 2019, full vaccination coverage for children aged 12 to 23 months was 83.9%, which has dropped to 81.6% in 2023. In urban areas, this coverage is only 79%, while rural areas see 84.6% of children receiving complete vaccinations.
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