Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka

Dhaka, Jun 27: Bangladesh's worsening measles outbreak claimed seven more children's lives in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 709 since March 15, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Health authorities said one of the latest deaths has been laboratory-confirmed as measles, while the remaining six are classified as suspected fatalities pending further verification.

With the latest update, the number of suspected measles-related deaths has risen to 615, while laboratory-confirmed fatalities have reached 94, local media reported.

The country also recorded 744 new suspected measles infections during the reporting period, pushing the cumulative number of suspected cases to 98,266. In addition, 45 fresh cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 11,594.

According to DGHS data, 81,955 people with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak began in mid-March. Of these, 78,287 patients have recovered and been discharged.

Public health experts have attributed the continuing spread of the disease to gaps in vaccination coverage and inadequate infection prevention measures in both healthcare facilities and communities.

They also cautioned that the onset of the dengue season could worsen the public health situation, as children infected with measles may face a higher risk of severe complications if they contract dengue simultaneously.

Public health expert Mushtuq Husain said the outbreak continues because vaccination coverage has not reached the recommended 95 per cent level in all parts of the country, while infection control practices remain insufficient.

Earlier this month, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticised the previous interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, alleging that changes to the country's vaccine procurement policy had disrupted the national immunisation programme.