Five more die as measles outbreak death toll reaches 264

Bangladesh has recorded five more deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms in the last 24 hours until Monday morning, as the nationwide outbreak continues to strain the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

Of the latest victims, one was a laboratory-confirmed measles case, while four others died with symptoms consistent with the virus, according to the daily bulletin issued on Monday by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Official data shows that since the outbreak intensified on Mar 15, the total death toll has reached 264.

This includes 44 confirmed measles deaths and 220 cases where patients exhibited all clinical symptoms but lacked laboratory verification.

Dhaka remains the epicentre of the crisis, accounting for 103 of the total suspected deaths, followed by the Rajshahi division with 69 fatalities.

In the last 24 hours ending at 9am on Monday, 90 new laboratory-confirmed cases were identified, while 1,358 people sought hospital care with measles-like symptoms.

Hospitals admitted 1,008 of these patients for treatment.

The pressure on medical facilities is most acute in the capital, where 465 patients with symptoms were admitted in a single day.

Conversely, the Rangpur division reported the lowest daily admission count with 13 patients.

The cumulative number of suspected measles patients has climbed to 33,386 since mid-March. Out of these, 4,693 cases have been formally confirmed through testing.

In response to the surge, the government launched an emergency vaccination campaign on Apr 20, aiming to reach 18 million children across the country.

As of Monday, approximately 8.42 million children have received the vaccine across eight divisions.