Dhaka, May 4 (IANS). 10 more children died of measles and measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh. Thus, the total number of deaths so far has reached 294.
Local media gave this information quoting the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). these figures
Citing DGHS data, The Daily Star reported that the death toll due to measles reached 50 in a span of 24 hours (from Saturday to Sunday morning).
During this period, 9 new suspected cases of measles were reported, taking the number of infected people during this period to 244.
Of these, four deaths were reported in Dhaka division, two in Barishal, one each in Chittagong, Khulna and Sylhet divisions.
Additionally, 95 new confirmed cases were reported during the same period, bringing the total to 5,313.
At the same time, in the last 24 hours, DGHS registered 1,166 new suspected cases, taking the total number of suspected cases to 40,491.
As the measles outbreak increases in Bangladesh, healthcare concerns are also increasing. Local media claims that children with measles-like symptoms are being treated with local remedies and herbal medicines in several remote hill settlements of Alikadam Upazila of Bandarban district.
In the last few days, five children with measles-like symptoms have died, and many other children have also been infected in 10 to 15 villages in the area.
According to ‘Science Advisor’, this measles epidemic has arisen from a “huge disruption” in vaccine procurement following the July 2024 protests, leading to vaccine shortages across the country and a sharp decline in immunization rates.
The increasing number of deaths due to measles outbreak has further increased due to high malnutrition among children and weak health system.
After the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power in 2024, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government messed up the entire vaccine coverage system during its 18-month tenure.
In September 2025, the interim government stopped procuring vaccines through UNICEF and adopted an open tender system — “a procurement process in which the government calls suppliers for bids and looks at proposals before placing the order,” the report said.
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) had appealed for immediate action to control the measles outbreak spreading in Bangladesh. The organization warned that if surveillance, rapid response systems and vaccination coverage were not improved, the infection could spread rapidly.
Amidst the continuously worsening situation, Mohammad Mushtuk Hossain, advisor to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Dhaka, said that the Bangladesh government should officially declare it a public health emergency.
He asked questioningly, “This is already an emergency situation, so why the hesitation in officially declaring a public health emergency?”
–IANS
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