Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh: Rising Cases and Urgent Need for Vaccination
Measles Cases Surge in Bangladesh
Dhaka, March 30: The Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) in Bangladesh has reported an increase in measles cases, with six new patients admitted, raising the total in the pediatric ward to 18 as of Monday, according to local news sources.
Muhammad Musa, the head of the Pediatric Department at CMCH, confirmed that all affected children are currently in isolation.
As measles continues to spread across Dhaka and other regions, health officials have noted that 38 children have succumbed to the disease and its complications this year.
Out of these fatalities, 32 occurred in March alone, with 21 deaths reported at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Mohakhali, including three on Sunday, amidst a rising influx of patients from various parts of the country.
Health experts attribute the outbreak primarily to insufficient vaccination coverage, as many children are either not part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) or have not completed their vaccination schedules, leaving them at risk.
Many children miss their vaccination appointments due to various reasons, including lack of awareness and health issues, while occasional vaccine shortages exacerbate the problem.
Despite a generally high vaccination rate, nearly 10% of children remain unvaccinated. The government has initiated periodic "catch-up" campaigns to fill this gap, but a planned campaign for late 2024 was not executed due to unfavorable conditions, putting many children in jeopardy.
Experts have indicated that the combination of high population density and widespread malnutrition among children has further fueled the outbreak, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
Shrebash Paul, a junior consultant at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, noted that the hospital admitted 560 measles patients in the first quarter of 2026, a significant increase from just 69 in 2025.
Monthly admissions rose from 35 in January to 88 in February, culminating in a sharp increase in March. In previous years, only 10% of tested samples were positive, but this year, that figure has surged to 90%.
Paul added that most of the infected children are under nine months old and have not yet received vaccinations.
With hospitals facing immense pressure, patients are being treated in hallways, on cabin floors, and even in front of elevators due to a lack of available beds. Although the government has instructed other hospitals to accept measles patients to alleviate the burden, the situation remains dire.
Experts are urging for enhanced vaccination efforts, greater public awareness, and prompt execution of catch-up campaigns to manage the outbreak effectively.