Three children in Bangladesh passed away within 24 hours due to symptoms resembling measles, bringing the total confirmed and suspected deaths in the country to 642. The recent fatalities were categorized as suspected measles deaths by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The number of suspected measles deaths has now reached 550, while the count of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remains steady, as per the United News of Bangladesh (UNB).
A total of 1,110 new suspected measles cases were recorded in Bangladesh during the same 24-hour period, elevating the total number of suspected cases to 83,139. Additionally, 132 new confirmed cases were reported, pushing the total number of laboratory-confirmed measles infections to 10,059 in the country. Since March 15, over 68,000 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalized in Bangladesh, with 64,293 patients having recovered, according to the DGHS.
Despite the government’s assertion that vaccination coverage has surpassed 100% among targeted children, Bangladesh is grappling with a severe measles outbreak. This situation has raised concerns among immunization experts regarding vaccine efficacy and coverage gaps, as highlighted by the Bangladeshi daily ‘Dhaka Tribune’. Hospitals in Bangladesh are admitting more than 1,000 children daily with measles or similar symptoms, even after a nationwide emergency measles vaccination campaign concluded over a month ago.
Public health experts are alarmed by the persistent surge in cases, emphasizing that high vaccination coverage does not guarantee protection unless children develop adequate immunity. Be-Nazir Ahmed, a former director of the government’s disease control branch, noted that measles transmission should significantly decrease when vaccine coverage surpasses 90%. However, the current rise in infections indicates potential discrepancies between official vaccination targets and the actual number of vaccinated children.
