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Twelve more children died from measles and measles-related complications in the past 24 hours as of 8:00am on Friday, pushing the death toll to 451 since mid-March, health authorities confirmed as medical experts issued an urgent call for early detection and treatment to reduce fatalities.
Of the total fatalities, 74 were confirmed measles cases while over 1,300 new infections were recorded during the 24-hour period, according to a bulletin issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The total number of suspected measles infections has now surged to 55,611, with 7,416 laboratory-confirmed cases, said DGHS.
Health experts said nearly 99 per cent of children infected with measles can recover if the disease is detected early and treated promptly, warning that delays in hospitalisation significantly increase the risk of death.
The observations came at a press conference jointly organised by the Bangladesh Lung Foundation and the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh in the capital.
In a written statement, chest disease specialist Dr Ziaul Haque said respiratory complications are one of the leading causes of measles-related deaths.
The experts placed a set of recommendations to tackle the situation, including prioritising vaccination programmes, introducing "fever corners" at upazila and district-level health facilities, disseminating World Health Organization treatment guidelines among healthcare providers, and strengthening nationwide awareness campaigns.
They also warned that children suffering from measles face a higher risk of pneumonia, particularly those who are malnourished. Pneumonia can affect not only the lungs but also other organs, including the brain.
Many children are arriving at hospitals with additional complications such as diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and secondary infections, further worsening their condition, they added.
Paediatrician Prof Dr Abid Hossain Mollah said delays in seeking treatment significantly heighten complications, as measles weakens the immune system.
"Infected children must be brought under medical care as early as possible," he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain visited DNCC Hospital in Mohakhali on Friday.
Speaking to the media, he said pneumonia cases have now surpassed measles infections in severity, adding that the government is making all-out efforts to curb both infections and deaths.
The minister noted that no vitamin A campaign had been conducted during the past government since 2021.
A large shipment of vitamin A is expected by June 10, after which a major campaign will be launched, he said.
He said measles patients are being provided with internationally recognised treatment, although the government faces multiple challenges in addressing the crisis swiftly.
The government has already expanded measles vaccination efforts and will further increase treatment capacity at specialised hospitals if necessary, he added.
The government is also seeking support from private entities to procure advanced medical equipment, including ventilators.
"The previous governments did not leave sufficient ventilators in hospitals. We started with limited resources but have already arranged 30 ventilators and distributed them to facilities facing shortages," the minister said.
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