Measles outbreak: Record 17 children die in single day, total toll surpasses 300

The country has recorded its highest single-day death toll from the ongoing measles outbreak, with 17 children succumbing to the disease and its symptoms in the last 24 hours. 
This marks the deadliest day since the first case was identified 50 days ago.

According to the latest report from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) covering the period from 8:00 am Sunday to 8:00 am Monday, 15 of these deaths involved children with measles-like symptoms, while the remaining two were laboratory-confirmed cases. 

This surge brings the total death toll over the last 50 days to 311, with 259 linked to symptoms and 52 confirmed measles deaths.

The regional impact remains severe, with 12 of the latest deaths occurring in Dhaka Division and five in Chattogram Division. Dhaka also leads in new symptomatic cases, accounting for 618 out of the 1,302 children who presented symptoms in the last 24 hours. 

Other affected regions include Chattogram with 192 cases, Rajshahi with 168, and Barishal with 133.

Across the country's eight divisions, 1,026 children were hospitalized in the last 24 hours, while 1,061 symptomatic patients were discharged after treatment. 

Health authorities continue to grapple with the escalating crisis as the infection spreads across multiple regions.