Bangladesh measles outbreak kills over 1,000 children, infects nearly 190,000

Dhaka – Bangladesh is confronting its most severe measles outbreak on record, with the health ministry reporting 1,002 child fatalities and close to 190,000 confirmed cases since the start of March. The surge, which the ministry describes as the worst in the country’s recent history, has prompted the government to declare a public health emergency and to mobilize emergency vaccination drives in the most affected districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.

Health officials attribute the rapid spread to gaps in routine immunisation coverage, exacerbated by disruptions to health services during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has dispatched technical teams to assist with surveillance, case management and the procurement of measles‑containing vaccines, while the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged parents to ensure children receive the recommended two‑dose schedule. Ongoing efforts aim to curb transmission and prevent further loss of life as the outbreak continues to unfold.