The severe measles outbreak in the country is rapidly turning into a major public health crisis. Alongside the rising number of infections, child deaths are also increasing at an alarming rate.
According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 11 more children died from measles and measles-related symptoms in the last 24 hours.
Among them, measles infection was confirmed in two children, while nine others died with symptoms associated with the disease. Since March 15 this year, a total of 499 children have died. Of them, 85 cases were confirmed as measles, while 414 children died with related symptoms.
Dhaka recorded the highest number of deaths, with 210 fatalities.
During the last 24 hours, another 1,261 children with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals, bringing the total number of reported cases to 60,540. Most of those infected are children, particularly those under the age of five, who remain at the highest risk.
Experts say the situation has gone beyond control due to delays in taking swift and coordinated action after the outbreak began.
They believe many deaths could have been prevented through timely mass vaccination campaigns, early patient detection, proper treatment guidelines, and ensuring emergency support services, including oxygen.
They also stress that increasing vaccination alone will not be enough. Improved child nutrition, faster access to treatment, oxygen support, and stronger local-level surveillance are equally important.
According to them, if effective measures are not implemented immediately, the country may face an even larger humanitarian crisis. Measles, they warn, is not only a viral disease but has also exposed weaknesses in the country’s public health system.
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