Four more children die from measles outbreak in Bangladesh, death tally from confirmed and suspected cases reaches 716Dhaka, Jun 29 (UNI) Four more children died from measles and related symptoms in Bangladesh in the last 24hrs on June 29, taking the combined total of confirmed and suspected deaths from the disease to over 716.
As per the latest figures, the suspected measles deaths have risen to 623, while laboratory-confirmed fatalities now stand at 93.
Similarly, in the past 24hrs over 1,004 new suspected infections were reported, pushing the nationwide tally to 100,211 suspected cases.
As per Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) data, over 43,806 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised since April 10, while an additional 80,000 people have recovered.
Dhaka division remains the worst affected region, accounting for more than 35,500 suspected cases and a significant share of fatalities.
Four more children die from measles outbreak in Bangladesh, death tally from confirmed and suspected cases reaches 716
Dhaka, Jun 29 (UNI) Four more children died from measles and related symptoms in Bangladesh in the last 24hrs on June 29, taking the combined total of confirmed and suspected deaths from the disease to over 716. It has been warned that the tally is likely higher due to underreporting in outer districts, and hinterlands.
As per the latest figures, the suspected measles deaths have risen to 623, while laboratory-confirmed fatalities now stand at 93.
Similarly, in the past 24hrs over 1,004 new suspected infections were reported, pushing the nationwide tally to 100,211 suspected cases. An additional 141 laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded, bringing the confirmed caseload to 11,851.
As per Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) data, over 43,806 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised since April 10, while an additional 80,000 people have recovered.
Post measles complications are also on the rise with an increasing number of recovered children again returning to hospitals with new complications, particularly pneumonia and other infections, as the disease weakens their immune system for weeks or even months after recovery, according to physicians, Business Standard BD reported.
Although there is no official data on post-measles complications as yet, physicians say cases are rising both in hospitals and private chambers.
Reportedly, pneumonia has emerged as a common side effect of measles as children with weakened immunity are developing repeated episodes of pneumonia. Many are being readmitted within 10 to 20 days of leaving the hospital after recovering from measles, as per DGHS data.
The devastating outbreak has been linked to a severe vaccination disruption in Bangladesh's immunisation programme following the 2024 July Uprising, with the former interim government heavily neglecting the health sector, leading to a drastic fall in vaccine procurement, leading to prolonged nationwide shortages of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine throughout 2024 and 2025.
Furthermore, Bangladesh has also not conducted a nationwide supplementary measles immunisation campaign since 2020, initially due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later because of political instability.
As a result, an estimated 10 million children missed their first vaccine dose and around 20 million missed their second dose, reducing herd immunity well below the required 95% threshold which it had managed to sustain for a long time.
The outbreak has now spread across all eight divisions and 64 districts of the country, virtually covering the entire country. Dhaka division remains the worst affected region, accounting for more than 35,500 suspected cases and a significant share of fatalities.
Chattogram, Rajshahi, Cox's Bazar and Barishal divisions have also recorded high infection levels.
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