Measles claims two more children as suspected cases surpass 70,000 in Bangladesh

The measles outbreak continues to claim lives, with two more children succumbing to measles-like symptoms within the last 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This brings the total number of reported suspected cases to 1,377 nationwide.

Since the outbreak began on March 15, a staggering 70,936 suspected measles cases have been recorded across the country. During this period, 1,324 new suspected cases were reported in the last 24 hours alone. The DGHS confirmed that 53 new cases were identified as measles, pushing the total number of confirmed measles cases to 9,049.

Hospital admissions for suspected measles patients since March 15 have reached 56,886. Of these, 52,841 patients have recovered and been discharged. While no deaths from confirmed measles were reported in the latest 24-hour period, the total number of fatalities from confirmed measles since March 15 remains at 90.

Tragically, two deaths among suspected measles cases were also reported in the last 24 hours, increasing the total death toll for suspected cases to 495 since March 15. The Dhaka division has recorded the highest number of suspected measles cases, with 33,470 individuals reported infected, of which 6,306 cases have been confirmed as measles.