Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka

Dhaka, Mar 31: A growing measles outbreak in Bangladesh is putting severe pressure on healthcare facilities, with new cases continuing to emerge and child fatalities rising alarmingly.

At least six more children showing measles symptoms were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Monday, taking the number of patients in its paediatric ward to 18. Hospital authorities confirmed that all affected children have been placed in isolation to prevent further spread.

The outbreak has had devastating consequences this year, with reports indicating that at least 38 children have died due to measles and related complications. A majority of these deaths—32—were recorded in March alone, including several cases at the Infectious Disease Hospital in the capital Dhaka.

Health experts attribute the surge primarily to gaps in vaccination coverage. Many children either miss out on the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) or fail to complete the required doses, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

Factors such as missed vaccination schedules, lack of awareness among parents, illness-related delays, and occasional vaccine shortages have compounded the problem. Although overall immunisation coverage remains high, nearly 10 per cent of children are still unvaccinated.

Efforts to bridge this gap have also faced setbacks. A planned nationwide “catch-up” vaccination campaign scheduled for late 2024 could not be carried out due to adverse conditions, leaving many children unprotected.

Experts warn that additional challenges—including high population density and widespread child malnutrition—have accelerated the spread of the disease.

According to medical professionals, the scale of the outbreak has risen sharply compared to previous years. The Infectious Disease Hospital alone has treated hundreds of measles patients in the first quarter of 2026, with monthly admissions increasing significantly and test positivity rates surging dramatically.

Doctors also noted that a large number of infected children are below nine months old—an age at which they are typically yet to receive routine vaccination—making them particularly vulnerable.

Hospitals are now struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Reports indicate that due to a shortage of beds, children are being treated in corridors, on floors, and in other makeshift spaces. While the government has instructed other hospitals to admit measles patients to ease the burden, the healthcare system continues to face intense strain.

Medical experts have called for urgent action, including strengthening vaccination coverage, improving public awareness, and swiftly implementing catch-up immunisation drives to contain the outbreak.