Bangladesh measles outbreak kills 991 as nearly 20,000 cases confirmed
Bangladesh is facing a severe measles outbreak that has resulted in 991 deaths and over 163,000 symptomatic cases since mid-March. Health authorities are struggling to contain the spread due to declining vaccination coverage and are planning a new nationwide immunization campaign.
Why it matters
The crisis underscores the critical public health risks associated with falling herd immunity and the global challenge of maintaining routine vaccination programs in densely populated regions.
Bangladesh health authorities on Saturday reported four more child deaths linked to measles and measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours, pushing the total death toll to 991 since mid-March, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
Of the fatalities, 100 were confirmed measles deaths after one more child died in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Health Ministry.
A total of 464 deaths were recorded in the Dhaka division alone.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported 843 new cases involving measles-like symptoms and 74 new confirmed infections, bringing the totals to 163,105 symptomatic cases and 19,641 confirmed cases.
Since mid-March, 143,214 infected children have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 137,921 recovered and were discharged, according to the DGHS.
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