Another child dies with measles symptoms in Mymensingh

Another child with symptoms consistent with measles has died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH).

A total of 29 children suffering from measles or with measles-like symptoms have died in the hospital as of now.

The child, who died on Monday evening, was a resident of Muktagachha Upazila in Mymensingh. He was admitted to the hospital on the morning of May 10, said Associate Professor Dr Md Golam Mawla, the hospital's focal person for measles.

On Tuesday morning, Dr Mawla said, the pressure of measles patients was still at a worrying level. In the 24 hours Since Monday morning, 26 new patients have been admitted. At the same time, 18 have recovered and returned home. Currently, a total of 96 patients with measles symptoms remain admitted.

According to hospital data, a total of 1,270 measles patients were admitted to the hospital from Mar 17 to May 12. Of these, 1,145 patients have recovered and been discharged. A total of 29 patients have died during the same period.

Doctors say that measles is a highly contagious disease. They have emphasised ensuring timely vaccination of children and bringing the infected for treatment promptly.

Assistant Director (Administration) Dr Muhammad Mynuddin Khansaid that although children with measles symptoms started being admitted from February this year, the number of patients started increasing rapidly from mid-March. To manage the situation, three medical teams have been formed on the eighth floor of the hospital's new building and medical activities are being conducted in the measles isolation ward.