Two more children in Bangladesh have passed away within 24 hours due to symptoms resembling measles, bringing the total death count to 585 since March 15. The deaths have been labeled as suspected by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The number of suspected measles-related deaths in Bangladesh has now reached 495, with confirmed deaths standing at 90, as reported by United News of Bangladesh.
As of the latest update, there have been 1,324 suspected measles cases recorded in Bangladesh in the past day, elevating the total suspected cases to 70,936. Additionally, 53 confirmed measles cases were reported during the same period, increasing the total number of confirmed infections to 9,049. Since March 15, a total of 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh, out of which 52,841 have recovered, according to DGHS as reported by United News of Bangladesh.
Last week, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) highlighted that it had repeatedly cautioned the previous interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, about vaccine shortages that could potentially lead to a significant health crisis. Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh, mentioned that the agency had communicated this concern through multiple letters and meetings with Health Ministry officials. She emphasized the urgency of addressing the vaccine shortages to prevent outbreaks.
According to Flowers, Ted Chaiban, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, also expressed worries about vaccine shortages during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry in Bangladesh last August. Furthermore, Flowers stated that UNICEF is willing to provide evidence to support the investigation initiated by the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government regarding the measles outbreak.
