At least seven more children succumbed to the measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Wednesday, pushing the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 601 since March 15 this year. The latest fatalities, all suspected cases, were reported within a 24-hour period. While the confirmed deaths remained at 90, the number of suspected deaths rose to 511.
Reports from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) indicated a total of 1,210 suspected measles cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall tally of suspected cases to 74,572. Additionally, 55 new confirmed cases were recorded, bringing the total to 9,191 during the same period.
Despite the conclusion of the preliminary phase for a special measles-rubella vaccination drive on May 20, Bangladesh continues to face a worsening health crisis. In May alone, 309 deaths from measles and related symptoms were reported. The country witnessed a steady rise in infections and fatalities, with daily cases exceeding 1,000 throughout the last month, except on May 9, 16, and 23.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had previously warned the government about vaccine shortages that could lead to a major health crisis. UNICEF representatives communicated this concern through letters and meetings with health officials. The organization had been cautioning about the shortage of vaccines since 2024, emphasizing the need for prompt orders to prevent an outbreak.
