Child deaths linked to measles continue to rise in Bangladesh. Seven more children died with measles symptoms during the past 24 hours -- from 8:00am on Saturday to 8:00am-- on Sunday. Of them, four died in Dhaka, while one death each was reported in the Sylhet, Barishal and Khulna divisions.
The latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths from confirmed measles and measles-like symptoms to 738 since March 15. Of these, 645 children died with measles symptoms, while 93 died after laboratory confirmation of measles.
Meanwhile, 925 people developed measles-like symptoms over the past 24 hours, while 106 new measles cases were confirmed, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) measles situation report released on Sunday.
DGHS data show that since March 15, a total of 105,618 children have developed measles-like symptoms, while 12,632 have been confirmed with measles, taking the total number of infections to 118,250. During the same period, 88,844 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals, while 85,122 have been discharged.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court on Sunday fixed July 12 to pass an order on a complaint seeking criminal proceedings against former Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, former Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum and four others over the death of a nine month old girl allegedly caused by official negligence during a measles outbreak.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam set the date after recording the complainant's statement.
Plaintiff's counsel Taslima Jahan Popy confirmed the development, saying, "The court has recorded the plaintiff's statement and is awaiting the order."
