Measles toll nears 1,000

Despite a nationwide measles vaccination campaign beginning four months ago, infections and child deaths remain a major concern in Bangladesh. 

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the number of children who have died from measles and measles-like symptoms is nearing 1,000, while the total number of affected children has reached 181,829.

Although the government says more than 100 percent of the targeted children have received measles vaccines, infections have continued to rise. Government officials and health experts say widespread malnutrition among children is one of the key reasons behind the continuing outbreak.

According to the DGHS report released on Friday, one more children died from measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours between 8am Thursday and 8am Friday. Since March 15, a total of 987 children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms over a period of more than four months.

During the same 24-hour period, another 1,114 children developed measles-like symptoms, while 40 new cases were confirmed as measles. In total, 1,154 children were newly affected in a single day.
Since March 15, the number of suspected measles cases has reached 162,262, while 19,567 cases have been laboratory-confirmed. Combined, the number of children affected by confirmed measles and measles-like symptoms stands at 181,829.

During the same period, 142,453 children were admitted to hospitals with measles-like symptoms. Of them, 137,350 recovered after treatment and were discharged.

Experts say malnutrition is weakening children's immune systems and limiting the production of sufficient antibodies, leaving them vulnerable to infection even after vaccination.

A joint study by the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute and icddr,b found that 65 percent of children infected with measles were suffering from malnutrition. Of them, 12 percent were severely malnourished and 53 percent moderately malnourished.

The study also found that 38 percent of infected children had not been exclusively breastfed during their first six months. The proportion was even higher among children who died, with 82 percent not having received exclusive breastfeeding for the full six months. In addition, 43 percent of infected children were aged between three and nine months.

Experts also believe that around 46 lakh children being left outside the measles vaccination programme may have contributed to the situation. The national measles-rubella campaign targeted 18,015,064 children, while the Vitamin A campaign launched nationwide on June 28 set a target of 2.26 crore children in the same age group.

Experts also say delays in seeking medical treatment and negligence during the early stages of the disease are allowing infections and complications to become increasingly severe.