Measles Outbreak: Bangladesh marks grim milestone of 1,000 deaths

More than 1,000 children have lost their lives, leaving behind countless stories of tragedy and loved ones scarred for life.

On Wednesday, the death toll from the measles outbreak in Bangladesh crossed the 1,000 mark – a grim milestone no one did wish to witness.

In March this year, the country’s health authorities began to keep a tally of the number of fatalities and infections, and since then, the figures have climbed steadily.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), confirmed deaths from the highly contagious disease since 15 March have reached 100, while deaths with measles-like symptoms have soared to 902, bringing the combined toll to 1,002.

Although a nationwide vaccination drive has been rolled out, Bangladesh is grappling with its deadliest measles outbreak in decades. 

Health officials attribute the continuing surge to persistent gaps in vaccination coverage, waning immunity from incomplete dosing, malnutrition among vaccinated children, and a failure to reach the herd immunity threshold.

The DGHS recorded three more suspected deaths and 1,119 new suspected cases in the last 24 hours until 8am Wednesday.

However, 69 cases of measles were confirmed during the same period, with no confirmed deaths reported.

The DGHS said that since 15 March, the total number of confirmed measles cases has stood at 19,904, while suspected cases have reached 167,580.

Besides, a total of 141,819 patients have recovered so far, it added.

Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes, and has no specific treatment to cure it. Complications such as brain swelling and severe breathing difficulties can rapidly worsen a patient’s condition. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the disease although anyone can contract it.