Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka

Dhaka, Apr 1: Bangladesh is facing mounting public health concerns as a measles outbreak continues to claim lives, with four children reportedly dying from suspected cases and related complications in the past 24 hours. The total death toll from suspected measles cases in the country has now reached 44 this year.

At Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, two children succumbed to suspected measles in the last 24 hours, raising the hospital’s total fatalities from the infection to three. Currently, 98 suspected patients are admitted for treatment, according to hospital spokesman Shankar K. Biswas.

Meanwhile, Infectious Diseases Hospital reported another child’s death, bringing its total suspected measles fatalities to 25 this year. Since January, 617 suspected measles patients have received treatment at the facility, Superintendent Tanzina Jahan noted.

In Chattogram, a five-and-a-half-month-old infant also died from measles symptoms while undergoing care at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Health experts point to gaps in vaccination coverage as the primary driver of the outbreak. Many children remain outside the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) or have not completed the full course of vaccines, leaving them highly vulnerable. Although the EPI has procured the measles-rubella vaccine, delivery of syringes has been delayed, reportedly postponing the nationwide vaccination campaign by up to two months.

Critics have highlighted delays caused by administrative debates over procurement strategies, financial considerations, and whether to seek UNICEF assistance, resulting in depleted vaccine stock and postponed campaigns. Public health specialists have termed this as negligence, warning that inaction could lead to rapid transmission, as one measles patient can infect 16 to 18 others.

Officials and experts are urging immediate government intervention to accelerate vaccination efforts and contain the outbreak before it spreads further across Bangladesh.