The Dhaka Tribune has reported that a measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed over 488 people. According to the report, more than seven children have died due to suspected cases in the past 24 hours. Citing data from the Directorate General of Health, the outlet said that of the latest deaths, four were classified as suspected measles-related fatalities while the other three were confirmed by the laboratory.
Since 15 March, there has been 405 suspected measles deaths in the country, with 83 being confirmed cases. 1,423 new cases were recorded, making the total number of suspected infections to 59,279. The Dhaka Tribune said as of 21 May, Chittagong recorded the highest number of deaths.
Latest reports suggest that around 46,407 suspected measles patients have been admitted to hospitals across Bangladesh since 15 March, while 42,336 have been discharged after recovering.
CBS News reported that hospitals were overwhelmed due to lack of facilities, forcing patients to seek treatment on floors. As per the report, most of the infected patients are children, who are either too young to receive vaccination or were partially vaccinated.
Miguel Mateos Munoz, UNICEF’s chief in Bangladesh for communication, told CBS News that the changes in the vaccine supply last year caused delays, with many children not even receiving one dose. He asserted that two doses of the vaccine are necessary for complete protection.
Munoz said the disease has spread rapidly among Bangadesh’s densely populated cities and refugee camps.
“The disease has now been detected in 58 of the country’s 64 districts, so it is across most of the country, and this is a country with movements across porous borders to neighbouring countries.”
The current outbreak prompted the Bangladesh governnment to launch an emergency vaccination programme in April to protect 1.2 million children, aged between 6 months and 5 years, across 18 vulnerable districts.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warns that measles anywhere can pose a threat everywhere, especially in a demographic where the vaccination coverage rate is below 95%.
