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Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh: Death Toll Surpasses 100 as Crisis Deepens

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Medical professionals treating children in a crowded hospital ward during the measles outbreak in Bangladesh.

Health workers administering measles vaccines to children at an EPI center. Infographic: Map of Bangladesh showing high-risk measles hotspots including Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka.

Khairul Alam; Dhaka: The measles outbreak in Bangladesh has reached a critical stage, with the latest reports from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirming that 103 children have died from measles-related symptoms since March 15, 2026.

As of April 3, nearly 5,800 children have been hospitalized, and the virus has now been detected in 56 districts, sparking a national health emergency.

The Current Situation: A Nationwide Surge

In the last 24 hours alone, 947 new patients were admitted to various hospitals across the country. While laboratory tests have officially confirmed measles in a small fraction of the deceased so far, the vast majority of the 103 victims exhibited classic clinical symptoms of the disease combined with severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

  • Hospital Crisis: Major facilities like the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital are reporting severe overcrowding. In many wards, children are being treated on the floors or sharing beds due to a lack of space.

  • ICU Shortage: A critical shortage of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) has been blamed for the rising mortality rate, as many infants under 9 months old—who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination—are falling severely ill.

High-Risk Zones & Hotspots

The World Health Organization (WHO) and DGHS have identified several areas as “Red Zones” due to high infection density:

  • Cox’s Bazar: Highest patient pressure relative to population.

  • Dhaka: The epicenter of the outbreak, particularly the North City Corporation areas.

  • Northern Region: Rajshahi, Pabna, Chapainawabganj, and Natore are seeing a sharp rise in cases.

  • City Corporations: Mymensingh and Barishal have also been marked as hotspots.

Government Response: Emergency Measures

In light of the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken several unprecedented steps:

  1. Nationwide Vaccination Drive: Starting Sunday, April 5, 2026, a massive emergency immunisation campaign will launch. Over 21.9 million doses have been fast-tracked through UNICEF and Gavi.

  2. Target Group: Children aged 6 months to 10 years will be eligible for the vaccine. This includes those who missed their routine doses during the last few years.

  3. Staffing: All leaves for doctors, nurses, and health workers under the DGHS have been canceled until further notice to manage the influx of patients.

  4. Financial Allocation: The government has allocated 604 crore BDT for emergency vaccine procurement and hospital equipment.

Expert Advice for Parents

Public health experts, including former IEDCR chief scientific officer Mushtaq Hussain, emphasize that the current outbreak is fueled by “immunity gaps” created over the last few years.

Signs to Watch For: High fever, dry cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, and a skin rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.

Recommendations:

  • Isolation: Keep infected children away from others to prevent rapid spread.

  • Hydration & Nutrition: Ensure children receive Vitamin A (under medical supervision) and stay hydrated.

  • Immediate Vaccination: Ensure every child in the household aged 6 months to 10 years receives the emergency dose starting this Sunday.

For real-time updates and localized vaccination center lists, stay tuned to dbarta24.com.

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