Dhaka, May 30 (IANS) The death toll due to measles outbreak in Bangladesh has increased to 583. Eight more child deaths due to measles and symptoms similar to it have been recorded in the last 24 hours (from Friday to Saturday 8 am).
According to the Directorate General of Health (DGHS), 1,033 new suspected cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of suspected cases has increased to 69,612 since March 15.
Health officials said surveillance, vaccination and treatment efforts have been intensified to control the infection and protect children. At the same time, emphasis is being laid on strengthening health services in the affected areas.
According to Bangladeshi media outlet UNB, Dhaka Division had the highest number of suspicious deaths. 3 children died here.
Reports suggest that 90 children have lost their lives due to measles and 493 children due to similar symptoms.
According to DGHS data, 1,033 new suspected cases have been reported in the last 24 hours (till 8 am Saturday), taking the total number of suspected cases to 69,612. During the same period, 53 new cases of measles were recorded.
According to The Daily Star report, the health crisis in Bangladesh is continuously deepening. Measles cases and deaths continue to rise even as the initial phase of the government’s special measles-rubella vaccination drive ended on May 20.
According to local media reports, more than 1,000 new cases have been reported almost every day this month. Except for May 9, 16 and 23, the number of infections is continuously increasing.
Health experts had warned even before the Eid holidays that the infection could spread more rapidly during this period due to gatherings, long journeys and meeting relatives. He has advised families with small children to avoid unnecessary travel and crowding.
Only last month, a report was published in Science.org, according to which the lax attitude of the Mohammad Yunus government for 18 months had brought the situation out of control. This report was published on April 30 by The Daily Star. According to this, measles took the form of an epidemic because, reportedly, the interim government had stopped vaccine procurement through UNICEF and decided to adopt the open tender system instead.
The move comes amid warnings that it could disrupt routine vaccinations and increase the risk of the outbreak spreading. Ultimately the same thing happened. The death toll is increasing rapidly with each passing day.
–IANS
kr/
