Measles claims five lives in 24 hrs
Five more children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide death toll to 233, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The latest deaths were recorded between 8:00am Wednesday and 8:00am Thursday. During the same period, 1,170 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the country, of whom 125 were laboratory-confirmed as measles cases.
With infections rising and hospitals coming under increasing strain, the DGHS has issued a directive instructing healthcare facilities not to refuse measles patients due to a lack of beds.
The order was issued by Dr Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (hospitals and clinics) at the DGHS, who said no patient with measles or measles-like symptoms can be referred elsewhere on the grounds of bed shortages.
“Instead, hospitals must arrange additional beds if necessary and ensure treatment at the admitting facility,” he said.
According to the directive, patient referrals will only be allowed in cases requiring advanced medical care, following a structured system from upazila health complexes to district hospitals, and then to medical college and specialised hospitals. The DGHS warned that any violation of the order would result in accountability for the head of the concerned hospital.
So far this year, at least 39 children have died from confirmed measles infections, while another 194 children have died with symptoms consistent with the disease.
DGHS data show that between March 15 and April 23, a total of 4,059 measles cases were confirmed through laboratory testing. Overall, 28,334 suspected cases have been identified nationwide, of which 15,728 patients have already been discharged after receiving treatment.
Health officials say the rising number of infections and hospital admissions is putting significant pressure on the healthcare system, raising concerns about the country’s ability to contain the outbreak without stricter intervention measures.
