Measles Claims 11 More Children; Death Toll Reaches 499

A severe measles outbreak continues to sweep across Bangladesh, claiming the lives of 11 more children in the last 24 hours. The new fatalities bring the national death toll to 499 since the outbreak began, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Hospitals in Dhaka are currently overwhelmed. A large number of children are receiving treatment at the DNCC COVID-19 Dedicated Hospital in Mohakhali, which is taking in a daily surge of new patients and critical referrals from outside the capital.

Between 8:00 am Thursday and 8:00 am Friday (May 22), 1,261 children were admitted to hospitals nationwide with measles-like symptoms. Of the 11 latest deaths, two were confirmed as measles through laboratory testing, while nine children died exhibiting strong symptoms of the highly contagious viral disease.

DGHS data reveals a grim picture since dedicated tracking began on March 15. Authorities have identified 60,540 suspected cases nationwide, with 8,329 officially confirmed through laboratory testing.

So far, 47,511 children have required hospital admission. While 43,411 patients have successfully recovered and been discharged, the disease has claimed 499 lives—85 from confirmed infections and 414 from suspected measles complications.

Health officials continue to urge parents to seek immediate medical attention if their children display symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, or a full-body rash.