Measles claims 7 deaths in 24 hours

Seven more deaths has been recorded in the country with measles symptoms in a 24-hour period.
The Directorate General of Health Services said 39 people tested positive for measles during the same period.

Five deaths were reported in Dhaka Division and one each in Khulna and Chattogram in the 24 hours to 8am on Friday, the health directorate said in a bulletin on Saturday.

The DGHS has been publishing measles data since Mar 15.
According to its official figures, 100 people have died from confirmed measles nationwide, while 919 others have died after displaying measles symptoms.

Total fatalities linked to the outbreak have therefore reached 1,019 in nearly six months.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of confirmed measles deaths at 63, followed by Barishal with 19.

Dhaka also accounted for the highest number of deaths among suspected cases, with 413, followed by Sylhet with 157.

Rajshahi recorded 93 such deaths, Mymensingh 77, Chattogram 69, Barishal 57, Khulna 39 and Rangpur 14. In all, 816 people sought hospital care for measles symptoms during the 24-hour period, with 731 admitted. Hospital admissions have reached 150,202, while 144,485 patients have been discharged.

The total number of suspected measles cases stands at 170,638, including 20,006 confirmed cases.