Dhaka, May 4: The measles outbreak in Bangladesh has intensified, with 10 more children succumbing to the disease. This raises the total death toll to 294.
Local media reported this information citing the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to data from DGHS, the death toll from measles reached 50 within a 24-hour period (from Saturday to Sunday).
During this time, nine new suspected cases of measles were reported, bringing the total number of infected individuals to 244. Among these, four deaths occurred in the Dhaka division, two in Barisal, and one each in Chattogram, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions.
Additionally, 95 new confirmed cases were recorded, increasing the total number of cases to 5,313. In the last 24 hours, DGHS reported 1,166 new suspected cases, raising the total number of suspected cases to 40,491.
As the measles outbreak escalates in Bangladesh, concerns regarding healthcare are also rising. Local media claims that in several remote hilly areas of the Alikadam sub-district in Bandarban, children exhibiting measles-like symptoms are being treated with local remedies and herbal medicines.
In recent days, five children with measles-like symptoms have died in 10 to 15 villages in the area, and many others have also become infected.
According to ‘Science Advisor’, this measles epidemic has arisen due to a “significant disruption” in vaccine procurement following protests in July 2024, leading to a nationwide vaccine shortage and a drastic decline in immunization rates.
The rising death toll from the measles outbreak has been exacerbated by increased malnutrition among children and a weakened health system.
After the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus disrupted the entire vaccine coverage system during its 18-month tenure.
Reports indicate that in September 2025, the interim government halted vaccine procurement through UNICEF and adopted an open tender system—”a procurement process where the government invites suppliers to bid and reviews proposals before placing orders.”
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged immediate action to control the spreading measles outbreak in Bangladesh. The organization warned that without improvements in surveillance, rapid response systems, and vaccination coverage, the infection could spread rapidly.
Amid the deteriorating situation, Mohammad Mushtuq Hussain, an advisor at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Dhaka, stated that the Bangladeshi government should officially declare this a public health emergency.
He questioned, “If the situation is already like an emergency, why hesitate to officially declare it a public health emergency?”
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