A severe measles outbreak has intensified in northwestern region of the country, with health officials confirming the deaths of six children exhibiting symptoms of the disease across Kushtia and Rajshahi divisions within a single 24-hour period.
In Kushtia district, three infant fatalities were reported between Friday night and Saturday morning. The victims included eight-month-old Ibrahim from Daulatpur, five-month-old Aiza from the district town, and six-month-old Afran from Bhadalia village.
All three succumbed at Kushtia Medical College Hospital and the adjacent Kushtia General Hospital, according to Dr. Hossain Imam, the resident medical officer.
The situation in Kushtia is described as critical, with Dr. A.H.M. Anwarul Islam, Deputy Director of the medical college hospital, stating that patient numbers "keep rising." While dedicated measles isolation corners have been established, the surge has overwhelmed capacity, forcing many children into general wards and creating a severe bed shortage.
According to the Civil Surgeon's Office, over 300 children have been admitted with measles symptoms in the district recently, with at least 75 recovered.
Civil Surgeon Sheikh Mohammad Kamal Hossain identified a combination of factors driving the crisis: a shortage of vaccines, low public awareness, and the movement of people from other affected districts.
He announced that vaccination drives will commence immediately upon the arrival of new vaccine supplies and urged parents to seek prompt medical care for symptomatic children.
The death toll in Rajshahi paints a grimmer long-term picture as the three new fatalities reported at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) bring the district's total measles-related child deaths to 38 since February.
Hospital spokesperson Dr. Sankar K. Biswas confirmed the latest victims, aged between five and seven months, were from Chapainawabganj and Natore. The hospital currently has 149 measles patients under treatment, with 25 new admissions in the last day.
The crisis prompted a visit to RMCH's pediatric and ICU departments on Saturday by Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton and District Administrator Kazi Shahidul Islam.
Administrator Riton stated the government is working to enhance ICU capacity and ensure treatment, with the city corporation providing support. He confirmed that vaccination campaigns are active across all 30 city wards, with approximately 8,000 doses prepared for a scheduled campaign on Sunday.
