Nine more children die as measles toll mounts
Nine more children died from measles and related symptoms in a single 24-hour period ending Saturday morning, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported, as Bangladesh’s devastating measles outbreak continues to claim young lives across the country.
During the same period, 769 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide, of which 489 were laboratory-confirmed measles cases.
The cumulative toll is stark. At least 61 children have died from confirmed measles infections so far this year.
A further 291 children have died showing symptoms consistent with measles. Between March 15 and May 8, laboratory testing confirmed 6,979 measles cases. Nationwide, 47,656 suspected cases have been identified, of whom 29,746 patients have been discharged after treatment.
Negligence under Investigation
As the death toll climbs, the government has launched a formal investigation to determine whether administrative failures contributed to the outbreak.
Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury confirmed the probe on Saturday at a roundtable discussion titled “Measles Outbreak and The Way Forward”, organised by the Bangladesh Health Reporters’ Forum in Dhaka.
“We need to identify why we lost these children, where the system failed, and if there was any negligence on the part of our officials,” Quamruzzaman said. “Once the investigation is complete, the report will be made public.”
Addressing concerns over lapses in the vaccination drive and a subsequent vaccine shortage, he assured that those found responsible would be held accountable.
“An investigation is under way. Trust us; we are working on this at the highest level,” he said.
Emergency Response
The government has allocated Tk 6 billion to purchase vaccines through UNICEF, funds redirected from unused Asian Development Bank allocations originally earmarked for COVID-19 recovery.
“We plan to bring approximately 17.8 million children under the vaccination net. Adequate supplies have started arriving,” the secretary said.
The government also revised a procurement plan for vitamin A capsules.
A proposal to purchase the capsules for Tk 140 million was reworked, with the revised plan to buy through UNICEF expected to reduce costs by Tk 40 million.
Officials have identified Barishal and Sylhet Divisions as areas with critically low vaccination coverage and have ordered authorities to accelerate immunisation drives in both regions.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Quamruzzaman announced that a vaccine production facility in Munshiganj has received government approval.
“Once implemented, Bangladesh will join the ranks of international-standard vaccine producers,” he said — a commitment that reflects official acknowledgment that dependency on imported vaccines left the country exposed when the outbreak struck.
