Bangladesh: Death toll from measles, symptoms rises to 424

Bangladesh is witnessing a worsening measles outbreak, with nine more deaths reported. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, the combined death toll from confirmed measles and measles-related symptoms has now risen to 424. Health authorities said three of the latest deaths were confirmed measles cases, while six children died with measles-like symptoms. All three confirmed deaths were reported from the Dhaka division. The country also recorded 87 new confirmed measles infections and more than 11 hundred suspected cases during the same period. Since March 15, Bangladesh has reported over seven thousand confirmed measles cases and more than 51 thousand suspected infections nationwide.
Official figures show that nearly 37 thousand children with measles symptoms have been admitted to hospitals since mid-March. More than 32 thousand of them have recovered and been discharged. The outbreak has raised serious concerns over Bangladesh’s vaccination system. Health experts have linked the crisis to disruptions in immunisation programmes and prolonged shortages of measles and rubella vaccines during 2024 and 2025.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, has termed the situation a disaster and announced a credible investigation into possible negligence and vaccine shortages.