Dhaka, June 25 (IANS). Measles continues to wreak havoc in Bangladesh. Nine more children with measles-like symptoms died in the 24 hours till 8 am on Thursday, after which the total number of deaths due to confirmed measles and similar symptoms in the country has increased to around 700 i.e. 698.
Leading news agency UNB quoted Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as saying that the nine recent deaths have been classified as suspected measles deaths. With this, the number of measles cases has increased to 605, while the laboratory-confirmed measles death toll remains stable at 93.
893 new suspected cases of measles were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of suspected cases across the country to 96,653. At the same time, 52 new cases were confirmed in the laboratory, after which the total number of confirmed infected people increased to 11,442.
According to DGHS data, since April 10, 80,497 patients suspected of measles have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of these, 76,788 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
Health officials say surveillance, vaccination and treatment services are being further strengthened to prevent infection. However, the continuously increasing cases and deaths of children have posed a serious challenge to the health system.
At the same time, Bangladesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain said in Parliament on Thursday that the government is running various programs to stop the spread of measles across the country and reduce child mortality.
Responding to a question by an MP on the reserved seat of the ruling party in the National Parliament (Jati Sansad), the Minister said that the main objective of the government is to bring every child under the ambit of vaccination and create a strong immunity shield against the disease.
Sakhawat Hussain said that the government is giving top priority to deal with the measles outbreak. However, vaccine hesitancy, incomplete vaccination, lack of public awareness, and in some cases, geographic and social barriers contribute to the spread of the disease.
He said fixing responsibility for any outbreak depends on the investigation into the incidents and available evidence.
The minister said that in cases of deaths and infections caused by measles, accountability is determined on the basis of investigation reports and related data.
He reiterated that the government’s focus is on increasing vaccination coverage, spreading awareness and keeping children safe from serious diseases like measles.
–IANS
kr/