Bangladesh measles outbreak nears 1,000 child deaths as cases cross 180,000
A severe measles outbreak in Bangladesh has resulted in nearly 1,000 child deaths and over 180,000 cases. Political instability and civil unrest have disrupted immunization campaigns, leaving significant gaps in vaccine coverage.
Why it matters
The crisis highlights how political instability can directly undermine public health infrastructure and lead to preventable humanitarian disasters.
Bangladesh’s worst measles outbreak in decades has killed close to 1,000 children with suspected and confirmed cases now surpassing 180,000, according to the latest health ministry figures.More than 1,000 suspected cases are being reported each day as hospitals struggle to treat a growing number of severely ill children, news agency AFP reported.At Dhaka’s Shishu Hospital, 101 children are currently admitted with suspected or confirmed measles. According to the health ministry, at least 986 children have died since March.“Just an hour ago, a child died, and they wheeled him out in front of us,” 30-year-old Rima Akter told AFP on Thursday. “We saw two children die today.”Akter’s nine-month-old son, Sabit Haque, is among the children being treated at the hospital.Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughs and sneezes. Two doses of vaccine can largely prevent the disease, but once infected, there is no specific treatment.
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