94 children dead in 19 days as Measles outbreak sweeps Bangladesh

Bangladesh is grappling with a devastating measles outbreak that has claimed the lives of at least 94 children in just 19 days , triggering alarm across the country and prompting an urgent nationwide response. Health authorities confirmed that the highly contagious disease has now spread to 56 of 64 districts , with infections rising sharply in recent weeks.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 10 deaths were recorded in 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, even as suspected measles cases surged to 5,792 . Nearly 1,000 new cases in a single day highlight the rapid pace of transmission. The northwestern Rajshahi region has emerged as the worst-hit area, prompting intensified surveillance and case-tracking.

Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul announced an emergency vaccination drive , initially targeting the worst-affected regions before expanding nationwide. Officials have attributed the surge to a significant gap in routine immunisation over the past year, leaving thousands of children vulnerable.

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes , followed by a distinctive red rash that spreads across the body. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death , particularly among vulnerable children.

There is no specific cure for measles , and treatment focuses on symptom management and preventing complications. However, the disease is fully preventable through vaccination . The measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, which is part of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) , has proven to be safe and highly effective in protecting children against the disease.

Health experts stress that timely vaccination, improved hygiene, and early isolation are critical to controlling the outbreak. They also warn that the actual death toll may be higher due to underreporting and limited testing in some areas.

As the outbreak continues to spread, the crisis underscores the urgent need to strengthen immunisation programmes and ensure that preventable diseases do not claim more young lives.