Bangladesh is facing a growing health crisis, with at least 98 children suspected to have died from measles in the past three weeks, according to official data released on Sunday.
Authorities have accelerated vaccination efforts in the hardest-hit areas to contain the outbreak.
Health ministry figures show a sharp rise in suspected measles cases, with 6,476 children aged between six months and five years exhibiting symptoms. Officials say both infection rates and fatalities are significantly higher compared to previous years.
While 826 cases have been laboratory confirmed with 16 recorded deaths, experts caution that the actual toll may be much higher, as many children are not tested or die before confirmation.
Officials attribute the surge to multiple factors, including a shortage of vaccines and disruptions to immunisation programmes. A nationwide measles vaccination campaign scheduled for June 2024 was delayed due to political unrest that led to the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases globally, spreads through coughing and sneezing and primarily affects young children. It can lead to severe complications, including respiratory problems and brain inflammation.
Despite Bangladesh’s past progress in immunisation, gaps in vaccine coverage have left many children vulnerable. Health authorities have now identified 30 high-risk areas and launched an emergency vaccination campaign, with plans to expand it nationwide.
Officials say the immediate priority is to contain the outbreak in the worst-affected regions, as concerns grow over the rising number of infections and deaths. Public health experts have warned that delays in vaccine procurement and distribution have worsened the situation, calling the current outbreak alarming.
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