At least five more children succumbed to the measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 610 since March 15 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported these deaths within a 24-hour period leading up to Friday morning. Among the recent fatalities, all were classified as suspected measles deaths, as per Bangladeshi media outlet UNB.
Reports indicate that while the number of confirmed deaths remains at 91, the total count of suspected deaths has risen to 519. The DGHS also documented 1,168 new suspected cases over the past 24 hours, pushing the total to 76,876 cases. Additionally, there were 243 new confirmed cases reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9,503 during the same timeframe.
Bangladesh’s Daily Star newspaper highlighted a concerning surge in measles infections, particularly among children, with escalating complications and mortality rates. The outbreak has strained healthcare facilities nationwide, especially in pediatric ICU support, isolation wards, ventilatory care, and infection-control systems.
Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating measles crisis in Bangladesh, the Awami League attributed the situation to a “man-made failure of governance” that originated during the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration and persisted under the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government. The party criticized decisions made during the interim regime in September 2025, which led to a significant immunity gap among millions of children, particularly those under five, resulting in a high number of victims.
