A total of 16 more children have died in Bangladesh from measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8 a.m. on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 528 since March 15. Bangladesh reported the second-highest single-day death toll for the second consecutive day, with 13 fatalities from measles reported on Saturday. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) classified all 16 new deaths as suspected measles-related.
With the latest fatalities, the total number of suspected measles-related deaths in Bangladesh has risen to 442, while the confirmed deaths stand at 86. In the past 24 hours, 1,306 suspected measles cases were reported, increasing the total number of suspected cases to 63,813. Additionally, 128 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 8,622.
Since March 15, a total of 50,558 suspected measles patients have been admitted to hospitals in Bangladesh. Among them, 46,214 patients have successfully recovered. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had warned the earlier interim government of vaccine shortages that could lead to a health crisis. UNICEF representative to Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, mentioned sending multiple warnings and raising concerns about vaccine shortages in meetings with health authorities.
