Dhaka, June 6 (IANS). The situation remains worrying in Bangladesh amid cases with measles-like symptoms. Five more children died in the last 24 hours till 8 am on Saturday, after which the total number of people who died due to infection or similar symptoms has increased to 613.
According to Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), these recent deaths are currently classified as suspected measles cases.
The number of deaths from suspected measles has risen to 522 with the latest figures, while the number of deaths confirmed by laboratory tests remains stable at 91.
The Health Department said that 915 new suspected cases of measles were registered in the 24 hours till Saturday morning. With this, the total number of suspected cases in the country has increased to 77,791.
117 new confirmed measles infection cases were also reported during the same period, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9,620.
According to DGHS, a total of 63,134 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals since March 15. Of these, 58,964 patients have recovered and returned home after treatment.
Health experts say that the infection is spreading rapidly among children and to control it, vaccination campaign, awareness and timely treatment are very important. The government and health agencies are continuously monitoring the situation and efforts are being made to strengthen health services in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Tribune published a report. Wrote that the families of measles infected children are facing immense difficulties. They are wandering from one hospital to another in the hope of providing hospital beds for their children, but many families are not being admitted even after reaching hospitals in the capital.
According to reports, initially, two wards were earmarked for measles patients at Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute. Later, in view of the increasing patient number, a third ward was opened. At present the hospital is operating four wards including ICU facilities for measles patients. Despite this, many patients are still being turned back due to lack of beds.
“The number of patients is extremely high. There are 26 beds in this ward and all are always occupied. Hardly any bed remains vacant. As soon as one patient is discharged, another patient immediately comes to be admitted,” the nurse in charge of the measles ward told Dhaka Tribune.
–IANS
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