Bangladesh measles deaths among children reach 1,201

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has released updated statistics on a measles epidemic spreading rapidly across the country.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Turkey’s TRT Haber broadcaster, which quoted the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, that since March 15 this year, 1,097 children with measles-like symptoms and 104 children with confirmed measles diagnoses have died.

Official figures show that a total of 190,663 people suspected of having measles were admitted to hospitals nationwide during the epidemic. Of those, 183,042 recovered and were discharged following treatment.

Overall, 214,551 people with measles-like symptoms have sought medical care, while tests have confirmed 23,157 measles infections. In the past 24 hours, authorities recorded 1,307 additional suspected cases and 35 confirmed infections nationwide.

The first phase of an emergency vaccination campaign launched in March to contain the epidemic prioritized children aged six months to five years. Vaccination is now being expanded in stages across all regions of Bangladesh.

Health experts warn that measles can cause severe complications, including acute pneumonia and encephalopathy, and remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide.