As Bangladesh deals with a worsening measles outbreak, the Institute of Public Health in Mohakhali, the country’s only facility for measles testing, is experiencing a critical shortage of testing kits. Without urgent procurement measures, all measles sample testing nationwide may halt after May 11, potentially hindering accurate case counts. The institute, receiving about 300 samples daily from patients nationwide, warns that the health situation could deteriorate rapidly if testing rates remain unchanged, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
Experts express deep concern over the measles outbreak, suggesting that declaring it an epidemic could lead to a unified treatment approach and better deployment of health workers at the field level. Increasing testing coverage is seen as crucial in identifying infected patients, containing the spread through isolation, and ensuring prompt treatment. The Dhaka Tribune notes that the World Health Organisation supplies the measles testing kits to the institute, with each kit capable of testing samples from 90 patients. However, the ongoing shortage has hindered any expansion in testing capacity, leaving numerous samples untested.
The institute, which had seven testing kits until Monday, depleted its entire stock within two days. Virologist Mahbuba Jamil mentioned to the Dhaka Tribune that although the exact number of remaining kits is uncertain, they are running low. The institute informed the World Health Organisation of the shortage, with an estimated wait time of one to one and a half weeks for new supplies. In the interim, testing continues with the existing kits.
Pediatric specialists caution that treatment delays are leading to complications among children, such as breathing difficulties, oxygen deficiency, brain inflammation, prolonged diarrhea, and convulsions, increasing the risk of fatalities. Public health expert Mushtaq Husain emphasized the necessity of declaring a public health emergency for the high-risk measles situation to ensure services and raise public awareness. Urgent actions are urged to enhance emergency vaccination, improve treatment facilities at the upazila level, and secure ample supplies of oxygen and essential medical equipment.
With over 300 lives lost in the measles outbreak in Bangladesh, critics warn that inaction could spark widespread transmission, given that one patient can infect 16 to 18 individuals.
