Suspected measles outbreak kills over 90 children in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is facing a surge in suspected measles cases, with officials reporting that at least 98 children may have died in the past three weeks as authorities intensify vaccination efforts.

Health ministry data shows that 6,476 children aged between six months and five years have developed symptoms consistent with measles, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years. “Compared with past years, the number of affected children is higher, and the death toll is higher too,” said Halimur Rashid, a director at the Communicable Disease Control.

While 826 cases have been officially confirmed, with 16 recorded deaths, experts believe the actual toll may be higher due to limited testing and cases where children die before diagnosis.

Officials have linked the outbreak to multiple factors, including vaccine shortages and gaps in immunisation programmes. Rashid said the situation was driven by “multifactorial causes, including a shortage of vaccines.”

Bangladesh had previously made significant progress in controlling measles, but a planned vaccination campaign in 2024 was disrupted by political unrest that led to the removal of the government of Sheikh Hasina. Public health experts say the consequences of those delays are now becoming clear.

Mahmudur Rahman, head of the National Verification Committee of Measles and Rubella, acknowledged that targets had not been met. “We committed to reducing the number to zero by December 2025 but failed to achieve the target due to poor vaccination programmes,” he said.

Authorities have identified 30 of the worst-affected areas and have begun an emergency vaccination drive, starting with the hardest-hit regions before expanding nationwide. Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul said the campaign would prioritise areas with the highest number of cases.

Experts have also raised concerns about procurement failures, with public health specialist Tajul Islam A Bari warning that funding had been available but vaccines were not secured in time. “Now we see the result, the situation is scary,” he said.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and spreads through coughing and sneezing. It primarily affects young children and can lead to serious complications, including respiratory problems and brain inflammation.

The World Health Organization estimates that tens of thousands of children die from measles each year globally, particularly in regions with low vaccination coverage.