Another 13 children died from measles and measles-like symptoms across the country in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death toll to 512 as of Saturday. Of the latest deaths, 12 children died with measles symptoms while one death was confirmed as measles-related.
During the same period, 1,021 more children were newly infected, according to a report released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday. The report covers the period from 8:00am on March 15 to 8am on May 23.
According to the DGHS, a total of 512 children have so far died from measles and related symptoms nationwide. Among them, 86 deaths were laboratory-confirmed measles cases, while 426 children died with measles symptoms.
Over the same period, 8,494 children were confirmed to have contracted measles through laboratory testing, while 62,507 children with measles symptoms sought treatment at hospitals across the country.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of infections and deaths, with 214 child deaths linked to measles and symptoms, and 35,513 infected children.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said that doctors and nurses involved in treating measles patients and providing emergency healthcare services would not be allowed to take leave during Eid holidays.
Responding to a question from journalists about whether physicians would remain on duty at hospitals treating measles-infected children during Eid vacations, the minister said, "They will stay, Inshallah. We have already issued a circular. Thank you for raising the issue. You may be assured that we are remaining alert. No doctor or nurse assigned to measles patients or emergency healthcare services will be granted leave. They must stay on duty."
Responding to another questions from reporters after a program at the Ministry of Health at the Secretariat on Saturday, he added, "Let me tell you one thing. It cannot be said that a child will not get measles 100 percent of the time even if they get vaccinated. Small pox is completely eradicated, cholera is eradicated, but now cholera is happening. If someone crosses your resistance level, eats rotten and bitter food, then you will get cholera. It is the same thing, but this too."
He added that if the virus spreads extensively, infections may still occur in some cases. "I do not know the exact level of guarantee, as I am not a scientist," he said.
The minister urged mothers that not to take infected children to relatives' houses during Eid and advised against taking children to crowded places.
"This is a highly contagious disease. It spreads through contact and respiration. Everyone must remain cautious," he said.
He also warned that increased public movement and free mixing during Eid - including bus and train travel and visits to relatives - could further increase transmission if healthy children come into contact with infected patients.
"There is a possibility that the outbreak could worsen," he added.
