Bangladesh has reported two more deaths with suspected measles symptoms and 52 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours according to a Friday bulletin from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The latest fatalities occurred in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. Since the DGHS began tracking the outbreak earlier this year combined death toll has reached 1,048 which includes 100 confirmed measles deaths and 948 deaths linked to suspected symptoms.
Regionally Dhaka Division has recorded the highest number of suspected measles fatalities at 426. It is followed by Sylhet (165), Rajshahi (93), Mymensingh (77), Chattogram (74), Barishal (59), Khulna (40) and Rangpur (14).
Hospitalizations continue to surge. In the last 24 hours alone 1,245 patients with suspected symptoms sought treatment nationwide with 1,116 requiring hospital admission. Dhaka Division saw the highest number of new admissions (344), followed by Chattogram (264) and Sylhet (177).
Nationwide total hospital admissions for measles symptoms have climbed to 156,718, though 150,633 patients have successfully recovered and been discharged.
Currently Bangladesh has recorded 20,395 confirmed measles cases against a staggering 177,725 suspected cases. However DGHS noted that the actual infection rate is likely higher as many symptomatic individuals who do not visit major hospitals remain untested.
Public health officials urge citizens to monitor children closely for symptoms and seek immediate medical care to prevent further severe complications.
