5 die of measles, taking total number to 1,300

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported that another five people have died with symptoms of measles across the country on Friday.

According to government data, a total of 1,304 people have died from measles and measles-like symptoms since March 15. Of them, 1,199 died with symptoms of measles, while measles was confirmed in samples from the remaining 105 people.

In a bulletin issued on Friday, the DGHS said that three people died in Sylhet division, one in Dhaka division and one in Mymensingh division in the 24 hours from 8am Thursday to 8am Friday.

Dhaka division has recorded the highest number of deaths with measles symptoms so far, at 535. It is followed by Sylhet with 213 deaths, Chattogram 120, Rajshahi 93, Mymensingh 93, Barishal 70, Khulna 57 and Rangpur 18.

The bulletin further said that 1,271 people developed measles symptoms at different locations across the country in the past 24 hours. During the same period, measles was confirmed in 148 people.

A total of 1,172 people with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals in the past 24 hours. Of them, 414 were admitted in Dhaka division, 233 in Chattogram, 168 in Sylhet, 140 in Barishal, 78 in Khulna, 80 in Mymensingh, 14 in Rangpur and 45 in Rajshahi.

According to DGHS data, 219,247 people with measles symptoms have been admitted to hospitals since March 15. Of them, 210,401 have recovered and been discharged.

The bulletin said the number of people who developed measles symptoms this year stands at 245,562, of whom measles was confirmed in 25,028 cases.

The DGHS has been maintaining records of measles cases, measles-like symptoms and deaths since March 15. However, not all patients who visit hospitals or remain outside hospitals undergo measles tests. As a result, it is difficult to determine the actual number of confirmed measles cases.

According to the DGHS, its records cover only patients who seek treatment at and are admitted to hospitals.