Govt launches probe into vaccine shortage, measles-related child deaths

The government has launched an investigation into the shortage of measles vaccines and the deaths of children caused by the infection, as concerns grow over the worsening outbreak across the country.
The probe will examine the reasons behind the vaccine shortage, the rise in child deaths linked to measles, and whether any negligence was involved, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said on Saturday. He made the remarks at a roundtable titled “Measles Outbreak and the Way Forward” held at Milton Hall of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU). The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF).
“The findings of the investigation will be shared with journalists and the people of the country,” he said. The health secretary said investigating such incidents is the responsibility of the state.
“Every incident needs to be investigated. The public has a right to know. Ours is a democratic and accountable government. I believe the government is prepared to be held accountable to the people,” he added.
Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas said regular national vaccination campaigns are essential to prevent diseases such as measles and rubella.
“However, no national campaign has been held in the country since 2019,” he noted.
He said the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has been requested to conduct genome sequencing to determine the nature of the disease and related complications among infected children.
“We will present the issue of a ‘death review’ for children who died from measles or related symptoms to the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). If advised, we will begin the process shortly,” he said.
In a keynote presentation titled “Measles Re-emergence in Bangladesh,” Prof Mirza Md Ziaul Islam, head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, said measles is re-emerging among children in Bangladesh due to immunity gaps. He noted that laboratory confirmation is not always necessary to diagnose measles during outbreaks, as treatment and isolation can often begin based on clinical symptoms.
BMU Faculty of Dentistry Dean Dr Sakhawat Hossain Sayanth said the country often fails to acknowledge public health problems openly. 
“There is also a culture of blame politics. But it is more urgent to stop blaming each other, acknowledge the problems and focus on solutions,” he said.
IEDCR adviser Dr Mushtaq Hossain said although measles outbreaks are occurring globally, mortality has risen more sharply in Bangladesh.
“The current outbreak may continue for another one to two months before declining. But once the situation improves, we are likely to forget about measles management again. There is no alternative to a long-term plan,” he said.
Public health expert Dr Khandakar Mahbuba Jamil, former head of the National Polio and Measles-Rubella Laboratory at the Institute of Public Health, stressed the need for a nationwide immunisation campaign to strengthen immunity against measles and rubella.
“The old measles virus has returned among us; it is a domestic strain,” she said, attributing the outbreak to vaccination and immunity gaps, as well as lack of breastfeeding. The event was presided over and moderated by BHRF President Pratit Ejaj. General Secretary Mujahid Shuvo delivered the welcome address.
Meanwhile, nine more children died from measles and related symptoms across the country in the last 24 hours till 8:00am Saturday, while 1,435 children were newly identified with confirmed measles or measles-like symptoms.
The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to the press release, of the nine deaths recorded during the period, three children died after being confirmed with measles, while six others died with suspected measles symptoms. All three confirmed measles deaths were reported in the Barishal division. Of the six children who died with suspected measles symptoms, three were from the Dhaka division, two from the Khulna division, and one from the Sylhet division.
The health authorities also said that 1,435 children were newly found to have measles or related symptoms in the past 24 hours. Of them, 489 were confirmed measles cases.