Health Desk – The measles situation in Bangladesh continues to worsen, with three more children dying of measles-like symptoms in the last 24 hours.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) revealed the latest figures in its daily situation report on Monday, highlighting the relentless spread of the disease across the country.
According to the DGHS, these latest fatalities occurred between 8:00 AM Sunday and 8:00 AM Monday. This brings the total death toll since the outbreak escalated on March 15 to 741.
Among these casualties, 648 children died presenting measles symptoms, while 93 deaths have been laboratory-confirmed as measles.
The epidemic shows no signs of slowing down, as 947 new patients with measles-like symptoms were registered nationwide in the last 24 hours alone.
Since March 15, the total number of symptomatic cases has reached a staggering 106,565. Health officials also confirmed 159 new positive measles cases during the same 24-hour window, pushing the cumulative total of laboratory-confirmed cases to 12,791.
Hospital resources are being heavily strained by the outbreak. Data shows that 89,734 children have been hospitalized with measles symptoms since mid-March.
On a positive note, healthcare facilities have managed to treat and discharge 86,062 patients so far, offering a glimmer of relief to an otherwise burdened healthcare system.
Medical experts emphasize the urgent need to accelerate vaccination campaigns and raise public awareness, particularly in vulnerable communities, to curb the transmission and protect children from this preventable viral disease.