In Bangladesh, concerns rise as a measles outbreak leads to the deaths of four children in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 44 this year. At Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, two children succumbed to suspected measles, increasing the hospital’s fatalities to three. The hospital currently has 98 suspected measles patients under treatment.
Meanwhile, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka, a child also died from suspected measles within the same 24-hour period, raising the death toll at the facility to 25. The hospital has been treating a total of 617 suspected measles patients since January. Another infant with measles symptoms passed away during treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Experts attribute gaps in vaccination coverage as the primary cause of the outbreak, emphasizing the importance of completing full vaccine dosages to protect children. Delays in vaccine procurement have been reported, impacting the nationwide campaign’s initiation. Despite having the measles-rubella vaccine, the campaign has been delayed due to the absence of syringes.
The government’s prolonged deliberations on vaccine procurement processes have led to a depletion of vaccine stocks, resulting in the postponement of the national campaign. Public health experts have criticized the negligence in purchasing vaccines and urged immediate action to prevent a widespread measles outbreak.
