Seven more children in Bangladesh have passed away from symptoms resembling measles in the last 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities from confirmed and suspected measles in the country to 738 in 2026. The recent deaths are categorized as suspected measles fatalities by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The number of suspected measles cases has risen to 645, with 93 confirmed deaths from measles reported.
During the same timeframe, Bangladesh recorded 925 new suspected measles cases, pushing the total suspected cases nationwide to 105,618. Additionally, 106 new confirmed measles cases were reported, increasing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 12,632. Since March 15, around 88,844 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalized in Bangladesh, with 85,122 recoveries.
Despite a vaccination campaign covering 1.84 crore children in May, the number of measles cases and suspected cases exceeding one lakh continues to rise. Health experts in June highlighted potential gaps in vaccination coverage in certain regions and insufficient infection control and prevention measures as contributing factors. They expressed concerns that the onset of the dengue season could pose additional risks to children already infected with measles, leading to severe complications.
Public health expert Mushtuq Husain pointed out two main reasons for the persistent rise in measles cases: inadequate vaccination coverage reaching the 95% threshold in all areas and insufficient adherence to infection prevention and control measures in hospitals and communities. Husain emphasized the importance of implementing isolation, quarantine, and a revised house-to-house vaccination campaign targeting all children under five years to reduce measles cases.
