A Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh Has Left Over 90 Young Lives Lost
In recent weeks, Bangladesh has seen a disturbing surge in suspected measles cases, with a staggering 98 children tragically losing their lives. The health ministry has reported that an alarming 6,476 children between six months and five years old have shown symptoms consistent with measles, a significant increase from previous years. According to Halimur Rashid, a director at the Communicable Disease Control, the number of affected children and the death toll are both higher compared to earlier years, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Even though 826 cases have been officially confirmed, with 16 recorded deaths, experts believe the actual toll may be significantly higher due to limited testing and cases where children die before diagnosis. The outbreak has been linked to various factors, including vaccine shortages and gaps in immunisation programmes. Rashid points out that a shortage of vaccines is one of the primary drivers of the situation.
Bangladesh had made notable progress in controlling measles, but a planned vaccination campaign in 2024 was disrupted by the removal of the government of Sheikh Hasina due to political unrest. Public health experts now say that the consequences of these delays are becoming clear. Mahmudur Rahman, head of the National Verification Committee of Measles and Rubella, acknowledges that the target of reducing measles to zero by December 2025 was not met, largely due to poor vaccination programmes.
In response to the outbreak, authorities have identified 30
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