Bangladesh’s measles outbreak worsens as 8 more children die

Bangladesh’s measles outbreak continues to worsen, with eight more children dying with measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).During the same period, another 1,320 people were reported with symptoms associated with measles, the DGHS said in its regular measles report released today.Since March 15, a total of 944 children have died with measles-like symptoms, while another 100 have died after being confirmed to have measles. The combined death toll from confirmed measles and measles-like symptoms now stands at 1,044.Bangladesh, once considered close to eliminating measles, is now facing what has been described as one of the world’s most severe measles outbreaks.In the past 24 hours, 81 children were confirmed to have measles, while another 1,239 developed measles-like symptoms. During the same period, 1,141 children were admitted to hospitals and 1,079 were discharged after treatment.According to DGHS data, 175,198 suspected measles cases have been recorded across the country since March 15. Of them, 20,282 cases have been confirmed as measles.A total of 154,420 patients have been hospitalised during the period, while 148,465 have been discharged after receiving treatment.To contain the outbreak, the government will resume measles vaccination activities nationwide from September 25, the health minister said. Most of the vaccines have already arrived in Bangladesh through UNICEF, while the remaining doses are expected to reach the country by September 17.