At Chattogram Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh, six new patients showing measles symptoms were admitted, bringing the total in the paediatric ward to 18. The head of the Paediatric Department, Muhammad Musa, confirmed that all patients have been isolated. Reports indicate that the measles outbreak has led to 38 child deaths this year, with 32 fatalities occurring in March alone.
As measles continues to spread in Dhaka and other districts, health experts attribute gaps in vaccination coverage as the primary cause of the outbreak. Many children have not received the full dosage or are outside the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, making them susceptible to the disease. Due to missed schedules, lack of awareness, and occasional vaccine shortages, some children do not return for vaccination, exacerbating the situation.
Experts highlight that despite high vaccination coverage, nearly 10% of children in Bangladesh remain unvaccinated. The government’s planned catch-up campaigns to address this gap have faced delays, leaving many children at risk. Factors such as high population density and child malnutrition have contributed to the rapid spread of the disease, intensifying the outbreak.
Shrebash Paul, a junior consultant at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, reported a significant increase in measles cases compared to the previous year. The hospital admitted 560 measles patients in the first three months of 2026, a stark rise from the 69 cases in 2025. The surge in monthly admissions, from 35 in January to 88 in February, further escalated in March. This year, 90% of samples tested positive for measles, a substantial increase from previous years.
Most infected children are under nine months old and have not received vaccinations, leading to a strain on hospital resources. With a shortage of beds, patients are being treated in unconventional areas within hospitals. Despite government directives for other hospitals to admit measles patients, the healthcare system remains under immense pressure. Experts emphasize the urgent need for enhanced vaccination coverage, increased public awareness, and prompt implementation of catch-up campaigns to curb the outbreak.
