Measles outbreak in Bangladesh: child deaths near 1,000

Dhaka: Bangladesh is witnessing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with the death toll among children nearing 1,000 since the outbreak began in March.

At least 986 children have died, while the number of suspected and confirmed cases has crossed 180,000, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry. More than 1,000 new suspected infections are being reported every day, putting further strain on the country’s already stretched healthcare system.

At a children’s hospital in Dhaka, wards treating measles patients are overflowing, with critically ill children requiring oxygen support. Many are reaching hospitals in severe condition, particularly because malnutrition has weakened their immune systems.

Children between six months and five years are bearing the brunt of the current outbreak. Despite the government launching a nationwide vaccination drive to contain the spread, infections continue to climb as health authorities struggle to reach children who missed routine immunisation.

Disruptions to vaccination programmes have been identified as a major factor behind the crisis. A measles prevention campaign planned for 2024 was delayed amid political instability, while vaccination efforts in 2025 were disrupted by strikes and continuing political uncertainty.

As a result, large numbers of children missed essential vaccine doses, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to the highly contagious disease.

Health workers are now intensifying efforts to identify unvaccinated children and administer the necessary doses. However, the continuing surge in infections and the mounting number of deaths highlight the severity of Bangladesh’s widening measles crisis.