Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Nears 1,000 Child Deaths Amid Vaccination Challenges

Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Nears 1,000 Child Deaths Amid Vaccination Challenges
——————————–
A severe measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed nearly 1,000 children since March, with health officials warning that rising infections are overwhelming hospitals and exposing gaps in childhood vaccination coverage.

According to health ministry figures cited by AFP, at least 986 children have died and more than 180,000 suspected and confirmed cases have been recorded during the outbreak. More than 1,000 suspected infections are being reported daily, with most cases affecting children between six months and five years old.

Doctors at children’s hospitals in Dhaka reported crowded wards filled with critically ill patients suffering from measles complications, including pneumonia and severe breathing difficulties. Health workers said malnutrition has increased the vulnerability of many children and complicated their recovery.

The outbreak follows disruptions to routine immunization programs in recent years, with health officials pointing to political instability and delays in vaccination campaigns as factors that contributed to a large number of unvaccinated children.

Bangladesh has launched a nationwide vaccination drive to contain the spread, while health experts are urging stronger public awareness, early detection, and expanded immunization efforts.

The World Health Organization has warned globally that declining vaccination rates and weakened health systems have contributed to the resurgence of measles in several regions, despite the disease being preventable through effective vaccines.