Dhaka: Two more children succumbed to measles-like symptoms as Bangladesh reported more than 1,000 new suspected and confirmed cases of the disease within the last 24 hours, health authorities confirmed on Tuesday. This grim development raises the total death toll linked to measles to 849 since mid-March, with 96 fatalities medically confirmed, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to Anadolu Agency, the DGHS reported 896 new suspected cases and 123 laboratory-confirmed infections, escalating the totals to 131,946 suspected cases and 16,531 confirmed cases. Bangladesh, a nation with a population of approximately 175 million, is currently the most affected by measles worldwide, as indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The country had previously attained herd immunity against the disease but has lost this status in recent years due to a decline in vaccination coverage.
In response, the Health Ministry has vaccinated over 18.48 million children since April 5. Despite these efforts, measles continues to be a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among children globally.
A joint assessment by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) revealed the financial strain on families affected by the outbreak. Nearly 90% of families reported borrowing money for treatment, while 60% had depleted their savings. The study, which surveyed 2,746 families receiving treatment at 12 government medical colleges and district hospitals across Bangladesh, highlighted that the financial impact extended beyond medical costs.
Children aged 4 or younger constituted 75% of the patients in these families. Furthermore, among those who disclosed their occupation, 78% depended on informal employment with monthly earnings ranging from 6,000 taka ($48.49) to 20,000 taka ($161.64), making them especially vulnerable to income losses during extended illness periods.
Alberto Bocanegra, the IFRC's head of delegation in Bangladesh, emphasized the broader implications of the outbreak, stating, "The effects of this measles health emergency do not end at the hospital door, as families often face difficult financial limitations while caring for sick children and other family members. These findings demonstrate why humanitarian assistance and strong social protection systems are both essential during public health emergencies."