TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The outbreak of measles in Bangladesh continues to worsen with the death toll approaching 300 people. Local health authorities reported on Sunday that 10 more children have succumbed, bringing the total number of deaths since mid-March 2026 to 294.
As reported by Anadolu, the official report from the local General Directorate of Health Services recorded over 1,260 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to over 45,800.
The capital, Dhaka, has been the most affected area with 149 fatalities. The surge in cases has also led patients from rural areas to flock to Dhaka for further treatment, including life support facilities.
The situation is further exacerbated by a shortage of testing kits amid the nationwide outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously stated that measles infections have spread to 58 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh, covering approximately 91 percent of the country, indicating "widespread transmission nationally."
The government, through the Ministry of Health, has initiated a special vaccination program. Since April, over 16.23 million children have received immunization. However, the WHO attributes this outbreak to the declining vaccine coverage, particularly due to the national vaccine shortage during the period of 2024 to 2025.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that predominantly affects children. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death, especially in malnourished children or those who have not been vaccinated. Globally, measles remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in children through immunization.
Read: Government Struggles to Contain the Measles Outbreak
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