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Rachel V Thomas

Bangladesh's Measles Crisis Deepens: Nearly 600 Children Dead Since March, Infections Set To Surge

<span>Bangladesh</span>’s deadliest <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-outbreak-in-bangladesh-death-toll-crosses-500-suspected-cases-over-64000-article-154401498" data-type="tilCustomLink">measles outbreak</a> is showing no signs of abating. Since March, the highly infectious disease has claimed nearly 600 children, while suspected cases have crossed 72,000.

What is more worrying is that there are no signs of a slowdown despite nationwide vaccination efforts, and experts believe infections could surge further following increased transmission during the Eid Al-Adha homecoming period.

“Over the weekend, Bangladesh documented more than 1,300 suspected measles cases and two deaths, pushing the country’s tally to nearly 71,000 infections and 585 fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-March,” according to the Bangladeshi Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

As many as 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh since March 15, of whom 52,841 have recovered, according to the DGHS, United News of Bangladesh reported.

“There is no sign of a downtrend in measles infection rate across the country,” Dr. Ariful Bashar from Mohakhali Contagious Disease Hospital told Arab News.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, even six times more than COVID-19. Unless 95 percent immunity is achieved through vaccination, there will be no downtrend in the infection rate,” he added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-again-on-the-rise-globally-is-india-at-risk-article-153985451" data-type="tilCustomLink">Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?</a>

Notably, millions of Bangladeshis travelled to their hometowns last week to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.

Bashar said that “as health protocols were not maintained properly”, the country is likely to “witness a future increase in the infection rate”.

The expert noted that Bangladesh also lacks facilities for efficient contact tracing of measles patients, which could further increase the spread of what he described as “the most contagious disease in the world”.

Since March, hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed as they struggle to isolate and treat hundreds of children admitted every day.

Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, told Arab News that “during the Eid travel period, it was not possible to keep infected patients isolated”, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/india-concerned-over-measles-outbreak-action-underway-dr-n-k-arora-exclusive-article-154208276" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Concerned Over Measles Outbreak, Action Underway: Dr N K Arora| Exclusive</a>

<h2>Most Cases And Deaths Among Young Children</h2>

Four out of five measles patients are younger than five years, according to The New York Times. The vast majority of deaths have also occurred in this age group, which is highly vulnerable to the airborne virus.  

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (<span>UNICEF</span>), Bangladesh had largely contained measles outbreaks since the 1990s through vaccination campaigns. However, immunization efforts were disrupted in 2024 after student-led protests overthrew the government.

The interim administration that governed Bangladesh until elections in late February did not conduct a supplementary mass vaccination campaign as recommended.

Last week, UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the country’s interim government, led by <span>Muhammad Yunus</span>, through written communications and meetings with Health Ministry officials about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis, local media reported.

From U-WIN Success To India's Dengue Vaccine, Immunization Expert Shares Roadmap

In April, Bangladesh’s new government launched an emergency campaign to vaccinate 20 million children.

Although the campaign has reportedly achieved 110 percent of its target and remains ongoing, experts note that only one of the two doses required for strong and durable immunity has been administered so far.

In addition, it takes four to six weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

The outbreak began in January in <span>Rohingya</span> refugee camps near the Myanmar border and quickly spread nationwide. It has now reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, causing more than 21,000 hospitalisations.

In an April 23 update, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “considerable risk” of spread to Myanmar, where civil strife has disrupted immunisation efforts, and to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bangladesh-measles-outbreak-meghalaya-tripura-to-boost-vaccination-and-health-surveillance-article-154125032" data-type="tilCustomLink">India</a>, which remains vulnerable. WHO described the outbreak as “a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination.”

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Bangladesh’s deadliest measles outbreak is showing no signs of abating. Since March, the highly infectious disease has claimed nearly 600 children, while suspected cases have crossed 72,000.What is more worrying is that there are no signs of a slowdown despite nationwide vaccination efforts, and experts believe infections could surge further following increased transmission during the Eid Al-Adha homecoming period.“Over the weekend, Bangladesh documented more than 1,300 suspected measles cases and two deaths, pushing the country’s tally to nearly 71,000 infections and 585 fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-March,” according to the Bangladeshi Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).As many as 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh since March 15, of whom 52,841 have recovered, according to the DGHS, United News of Bangladesh reported.“There is no sign of a downtrend in measles infection rate across the country,” Dr. Ariful Bashar from Mohakhali Contagious Disease Hospital told Arab News.“Measles is a highly contagious disease, even six times more than COVID-19. Unless 95 percent immunity is achieved through vaccination, there will be no downtrend in the infection rate,” he added.Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?Notably, millions of Bangladeshis travelled to their hometowns last week to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.Bashar said that “as health protocols were not maintained properly”, the country is likely to “witness a future increase in the infection rate”.The expert noted that Bangladesh also lacks facilities for efficient contact tracing of measles patients, which could further increase the spread of what he described as “the most contagious disease in the world”.Hospitals OverwhelmedSince March, hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed as they struggle to isolate and treat hundreds of children admitted every day.Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, told Arab News that “during the Eid travel period, it was not possible to keep infected patients isolated”, increasing the risk of further transmission.Also read: India Concerned Over Measles Outbreak, Action Underway: Dr N K Arora| ExclusiveMost Cases And Deaths Among Young ChildrenFour out of five measles patients are younger than five years, according to The New York Times. The vast majority of deaths have also occurred in this age group, which is highly vulnerable to the airborne virus.  According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Bangladesh had largely contained measles outbreaks since the 1990s through vaccination campaigns. However, immunization efforts were disrupted in 2024 after student-led protests overthrew the government.The interim administration that governed Bangladesh until elections in late February did not conduct a supplementary mass vaccination campaign as recommended.Last week, UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the country’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, through written communications and meetings with Health Ministry officials about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis, local media reported.Vaccination Drive Underway   In April, Bangladesh’s new government launched an emergency campaign to vaccinate 20 million children.Although the campaign has reportedly achieved 110 percent of its target and remains ongoing, experts note that only one of the two doses required for strong and durable immunity has been administered so far.In addition, it takes four to six weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.Outbreak Spreads NationwideThe outbreak began in January in Rohingya refugee camps near the Myanmar border and quickly spread nationwide. It has now reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, causing more than 21,000 hospitalisations.In an April 23 update, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “considerable risk” of spread to Myanmar, where civil strife has disrupted immunisation efforts, and to India, which remains vulnerable. WHO described the outbreak as “a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination.”

bangladesh's measles crisis deepens: nearly 600 children dead since march, infections set to surge

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