Dbarta24 Health Desk — Bangladesh’s ongoing measles outbreak has claimed eight more lives over the past 24 hours as children succumbed to measles-like symptoms, pushing the total mortality toll associated with the disease past the 900 mark since mid-March.
According to the latest daily epidemiological bulletin issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday afternoon, no deaths directly confirmed as measles occurred in the last 24-hour window, though eight pediatric deaths were reported with symptoms identical to the highly contagious viral infection.
The country has registered a rapid influx of suspected and confirmed cases as healthcare facilities struggle to cope with high hospitalization rates.
Over the last 24 hours alone, 798 individuals fell ill with measles or related symptoms—including 70 confirmed measles cases and 728 patients exhibiting symptoms.
During this single-day period, 700 children were newly admitted to hospitals nationwide, while 549 were discharged following treatment.
Official DGHS surveillance data tracking the outbreak from March 15 to date highlights a severe public health challenge:
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Total Deceased: 902 children (comprising 99 confirmed measles deaths and 803 deaths linked to measles symptoms).
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Suspected Cases: 141,776 individuals.
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Lab-Confirmed Cases: 17,800 patients.
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Total Hospitalizations: 123,494 patients admitted, with 119,089 successfully treated and discharged.
Health experts stress that controlling pediatric transmission through aggressive vaccination drives, rapid clinical isolation, and heightened community awareness remains critical to halting further fatalities across vulnerable populations nationwide.