Measles outbreak claims 113 lives in 22-days as cases surge past 7,600

The measles outbreak has killed 113 children and infected more than 7,600 in just 22 days, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The health authority released the figures on Sunday (April 5), revealing that 974 new suspected cases and 10 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours alone. 

The outbreak, which began on March 15, has overwhelmed hospitals across the country as thousands of children require medical attention.

Of the 7,610 children admitted to hospitals with suspected measles since mid-March, laboratory tests have confirmed the virus in 929 patients. 

While 113 deaths are under investigation as measles-related, health officials have confirmed 17 fatalities directly caused by the disease.

Dhaka division remains the worst-affected region, accounting for 3,259 suspected cases, with 468 confirmed infections. 

In the past 24 hours, 654 patients were hospitalized nationwide, and 42 tested positive for measles. Dhaka again reported the highest number of confirmed cases at 38.

However, Rajshahi division recorded the most deaths in the last 24 hours with 55 fatalities, followed by Dhaka with 10. Meanwhile, Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Sylhet divisions reported no deaths during this period.