Bangladesh Faces Measles Outbreak: 98 Child Deaths Prompt Emergency Vaccination

In Bangladesh, a measles outbreak has led to the tragic deaths of at least 98 children in just three weeks. The government is responding with an emergency vaccination campaign targeting high-risk districts, set to expand nationwide. With a significant rise in suspected cases and fatalities, health officials are emphasizing the importance of immunization to combat this highly contagious disease. The situation has been exacerbated by gaps in vaccination coverage, prompting urgent action to protect vulnerable children. This article delves into the current health crisis and the measures being taken to address it.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 6, 2026, 12:44 IST

Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi authorities have reported that measles may have claimed the lives of at least 98 children over the last three weeks, according to recent updates.

In response, the government has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign targeting 18 districts identified as high-risk areas. This initiative is set to expand nationwide starting May 3.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It predominantly affects children and can result in severe complications, including pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for measles; the infection must simply run its course.

Data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare indicates that the number of children aged six months to five years exhibiting symptoms of suspected measles has surged to 6,476 in 2026. Among these, 826 cases have been confirmed, with 16 deaths attributed to the disease.

Halimur Rashid, director of the Communicable Disease Control department, noted that the current figures reflect a significant increase in both the number of affected children and fatalities compared to previous years.

The Dhaka division has reported the highest incidence of suspected cases, totaling 2,394, followed by Rajshahi with 1,243 and Chattogram with 717. Rangpur division has the fewest suspected cases at 119.

The World Health Organization has stated that as of March 28, measles cases have been reported in at least 56 of Bangladesh's 64 districts.

Most fatalities have occurred among unvaccinated children, with health officials attributing the rise in cases to gaps in immunization.

The emergency vaccination initiative prioritizes children who have missed routine immunizations and are at the highest risk for severe illness.

Vaccination rates in Bangladesh's standard immunization program have seen a decline over the past two years, as reported by official sources.

Authorities conduct special vaccination campaigns every four years to reach those who missed their vaccines during regular programs. The last campaign took place in 2020, and a planned campaign in 2024 was canceled due to political unrest, according to Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

Widespread protests in August 2024 resulted in the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Additionally, routine vaccinations were disrupted multiple times last year due to strikes by health workers in rural regions.