Two children die with suspected measles symptoms in Barishal

Two children undergoing treatment with suspected measles symptoms have died at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal amid a worrying rise in measles cases across the Barishal division.

The hospital authorities confirmed the deaths on Wednesday morning.

One of the deceased was six-month-old Turjo Ballav from Agailjhara upazila in Barishal. The other was four-month-old Humayra from Betagi upazila in Barguna.

According to health department data, around 15,815 people have received treatment for measles at different hospitals across the Barishal division this year. Of them, 14,952 have recovered and returned home.

Meanwhile, 49 people have died this year across the division after being suspected of having measles, including 19 children.

The high number of infections and deaths among children has raised concern over the measles situation across the division.

Abdul Munaem Sad, assistant director of the Barishal Divisional Health Office, said authorities are closely monitoring treatment facilities to ensure that measles patients receive adequate care.

“Every death is tragic. Vaccination programmes are ongoing to combat measles, and we hope the situation will come under control soon,” he said.

sks