Govt stresses awareness to curb measles

The government has placed renewed emphasis on public awareness and vaccination campaigns to contain the recent measles outbreak, urging people not to panic over the situation.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid made the remarks at a seminar on measles awareness held at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.

He said measles remains a highly contagious disease, but the outbreak can be controlled through timely vaccination, improved awareness and coordinated public health measures.

The minister noted that declining immunity and poor nutritional conditions have contributed to the severity of recent infections, adding that health authorities are intensifying preventive efforts nationwide.

He also said the government, under the supervision of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, has strengthened immunisation programmes and awareness campaigns to reduce infection rates.

At the seminar, Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain said the nationwide measles vaccination campaign will continue even during the Eid holidays, with health workers instructed to remain on duty.

He claimed that infection rates in areas covered by vaccination drives since early May have already dropped significantly and expressed optimism that the outbreak would further decline in the coming weeks.

The programme was organised by former leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s medical and dental units and attended by health experts and senior physicians.