The total number of deaths linked to measles and measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh has reached 1,030, following the deaths of eight more children on Monday. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) operating under the Health Ministry, four of these recent fatalities occurred within the capital, Dhaka.
The Dhaka division remains the most severely impacted area, accounting for 482 of the total deaths recorded nationwide. Current health data shows that the number of symptomatic cases has climbed to 172,720, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 20,124.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that the nation of 175 million people is currently facing significant challenges in containing the outbreak, primarily due to low vaccination coverage. The WHO stated that while Bangladesh historically maintained herd immunity against measles, this protection has diminished in recent years as vaccination rates have fallen.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Health Ministry has launched a special immunization programme since April. This initiative has provided vaccinations to nearly 19.48 million children, supplementing the country's existing routine vaccination efforts.
