Seven children succumbed to a measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Saturday, bringing the total confirmed and suspected deaths to 677 since March 15 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services reported these fatalities within a 24-hour period. While the number of confirmed deaths stands at 93, the total suspected deaths have risen to 584.
The health crisis in Bangladesh continues to escalate, with a total of 807 suspected measles cases recorded in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall tally of suspected cases to 91,789. Additionally, 80 new confirmed cases were reported, increasing the total to 10,949 during the same period. Despite a vaccination drive covering 1.84 crore children a month ago, the number of measles cases has crossed the one lakh mark.
Experts attribute the persistent rise in measles cases to gaps in vaccination coverage in certain areas and inadequate infection control measures. They warn that the onset of the dengue season could pose further risks to children already infected with measles, leading to severe complications. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized the previous interim government for disrupting the vaccination program and accused the current government of negligence, attributing the epidemic to administrative failures.
