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Bangladesh measles death toll nears 1,000 children

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • At least 986 children have died and more than 180,000 suspected and confirmed measles cases have been recorded in Bangladesh since March, health ministry figures show.
  • Dhaka's children's hospitals are treating critically ill patients, many of them weakened by pneumonia or malnutrition.
  • The government has launched a mass vaccination campaign, but more than 1,000 suspected cases continue to be reported each day.

Bangladesh's deadliest measles outbreak in decades is closing in on 1,000 child deaths, with hospital wards filling as more than 1,000 suspected cases are reported each day.

Just an hour ago, a child died, and they wheeled him out in front of us.

· Rima AkterThe mother described conditions in the measles ward at Dhaka's Shishu Hospital.

At Dhaka's Shishu Hospital, the cries of sick children mix with the hiss of oxygen machines. Rima Akter, whose nine-month-old son was receiving treatment, said she had watched two children die in one day. “Just an hour ago, a child died, and they wheeled him out in front of us,” she told AFP.

We saw two children die today.

· Rima AkterAkter spoke about the deaths she witnessed while caring for her son.

At least 986 children have died since March, while suspected and confirmed cases have passed 180,000, according to the latest health ministry figures. Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes and can cause complications including brain swelling and severe breathing problems. Young children face particular risks.

I've been running to and from multiple hospitals since July to get my son the proper treatment.

· Sanjana Islam ModinaThe mother described seeking care for her six-month-old son.

The outbreak has continued despite a mass vaccination drive in the South Asian nation. Most cases involve children aged six months to five years, doctors said, and many arrive at hospitals already critically ill. Malnutrition is further weakening their ability to fight the virus. One six-month-old patient, Ayan, spent 15 days in intensive care after pneumonia and measles left him dependent on oxygen.

His lungs were already very weak from the pneumonia, then with measles his breathing was affected more.

· Sanjana Islam ModinaModina explained why her son required continuous oxygen.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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