DHAKA — Bangladesh’s measles outbreak remains a serious public health concern, with three more children dying from measles-like symptoms and 1,218 patients admitted to hospitals in the latest 24-hour reporting period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
The deaths, recorded in the 24 hours to 8 a.m. Friday, August 7, raised the nationwide toll from confirmed measles and suspected measles-related illness to 860 since March 15.
Two of the latest deaths were reported in Sylhet and one in Mymensingh. No child with laboratory-confirmed measles died during the same 24-hour period.
Of the 860 deaths recorded since March 15, 96 involved laboratory-confirmed measles, while 764 children died with symptoms consistent with the disease, according to the DGHS’s regular measles report.
The latest data show that transmission remains widespread months after the outbreak began and despite emergency vaccination efforts launched in April.
During the latest 24 hours, 1,218 patients were newly admitted to hospitals. Measles was confirmed in 201 of them, while another 1,017 were reported with symptoms of the disease.
Since March 15, Bangladesh has recorded 16,740 confirmed measles cases and 133,638 suspected cases, bringing the combined number of confirmed and suspected infections to 150,378.
Death Toll Has Risen by 20 Since Previous Report
The new figures show a continued rise since The Voice reported on August 1 that the cumulative death toll had reached 840.
At that time, DGHS data showed 16,180 confirmed infections and 129,061 suspected cases, or 145,241 combined cases. The latest figures therefore represent an increase of 5,137 confirmed and suspected cases and 20 deaths from the cumulative totals reported in that story.
The number of confirmed measles deaths has remained at 96, meaning the increase in the death toll reflected additional deaths among children recorded as having measles-like symptoms.
Health authorities maintain separate categories for laboratory-confirmed measles and suspected measles cases. A child recorded with measles symptoms has not necessarily had the infection confirmed through laboratory testing.
The distinction is important when interpreting the death toll, but the combined figures continue to demonstrate the scale of illness associated with the outbreak.
Faridpur Remains a Major Hotspot
The situation remains particularly concerning in Faridpur, where another 40 patients were reported in the latest 24 hours.
According to the district health department, 4,306 measles cases have been recorded in Faridpur from January 1 through August 7.
Of the latest cases, 31 were detected at Faridpur Medical College Hospital and nine at Faridpur General Hospital.
A total of 99 patients remained under treatment at the two hospitals — 69 at Faridpur Medical College Hospital and 30 at Faridpur General Hospital. Another 28 patients were discharged after treatment during the latest reporting period.
No new measles-related death was reported in the district over the latest 24 hours, leaving Faridpur’s death toll for the year at 21.
The district’s caseload has continued to rise substantially even after deaths stabilized. Local health department figures cited in June showed 2,804 infections by June 18, with the death toll already at 21. The latest total of 4,306 indicates that another 1,500 cases have been recorded since then.
Faridpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahmudul Hasan urged residents to remain cautious while transmission continues.
“Everyone must remain vigilant until the infection is fully under control,” Hasan said while giving the district’s latest health update. “The health department is monitoring the situation around the clock and ensuring necessary medical treatment.”
Young Children Have Borne the Heaviest Burden
Children have remained at the center of Bangladesh’s measles emergency since infections began accelerating in March.
WHO reported in April that the outbreak had already reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, with young children disproportionately affected. At that stage, suspected deaths were occurring largely among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children younger than two.
Dr. Jahangir Alam, WHO’s divisional coordinator for Dhaka, warned in an April 20 WHO report that measles could spread rapidly wherever immunization coverage falls short.
“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases,” Alam said while discussing Bangladesh’s emergency vaccination campaign. “Even small gaps in immunization coverage can trigger outbreaks. Every missed child increases the risk, but this is a disease we can prevent.”
UNICEF has said Bangladesh’s vaccination coverage had fallen below the level needed to prevent sustained measles transmission. According to the agency, first-dose measles-rubella coverage declined from 88.6 percent in 2019 to 86 percent in 2023, while second-dose coverage dropped from 89 percent to 80.7 percent.
UNICEF says at least 95 percent of children need two doses of measles vaccine to achieve the population immunity required to interrupt transmission.
