Twin outbreaks take heavy toll
Bangladesh is facing a mounting public-health burden from measles and dengue, with the two diseases together accounting for 1,187 deaths this year and tens of thousands of infections, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Measles-related deaths have reached a combined 1,030, including 930 suspected and 100 laboratory-confirmed fatalities, while dengue has claimed 157 lives so far this year.
The latest measles figures show eight more children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours to 8:00am on Monday.
The DGHS classified all eight as suspected measles deaths, taking the suspected death toll to 930. Confirmed measles deaths remained at 100.
The health authorities also recorded 1,177 new suspected measles cases during the 24-hour period, taking the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 172,720.
A further 55 laboratory-confirmed measles infections were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 20,124.
The outbreak has also placed heavy pressure on hospitals. Since 15 March, a total of 152,117 patients with suspected measles have been admitted to hospitals across the country, with 146,400 recovering, according to DGHS data.
Dengue cases hit yearly high
The dengue outbreak is also intensifying, with eight people dying in the 24 hours to Monday morning, the second-highest single-day death toll from the mosquito-borne disease this year.
The latest fatalities took the dengue death toll to 157, while 1,733 new cases raised the total number of infections to 53,570 – the highest daily tally recorded so far this year.
Three of the latest deaths each were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation and Chattogram division, while one each was recorded in Mymensingh and Dhaka North City Corporation.
Men account for 63.6 per cent of all dengue deaths this year, compared with 36.4 per cent among women, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh recorded its highest single-day dengue death toll this year on 8 September, when nine people died.
The previous highest daily number of dengue cases was also recorded that day, when 1,571 patients were hospitalised nationwide.
So far this year, 49,375 dengue patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, the DGHS said.
The combined toll highlights the continuing pressure on Bangladesh’s health system as hospitals deal simultaneously with a widespread measles outbreak and a sharp rise in dengue infections.
