Measles, dengue tolls keep rising

Bangladesh’s twin measles and dengue outbreaks continue to claim lives despite nationwide vaccination and other public health measures, with the combined death toll from the two diseases exceeding 1,270 as health facilities face a sustained influx of patients.

Measles remains the more severe of the two outbreaks, with its combined confirmed and suspected death toll reaching 1,076 since the outbreak began on March 15, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Eleven more children died with measles or measles-like symptoms in the latest 24-hour reporting period up to 8am Wednesday.

All were classified as suspected measles deaths, taking suspected fatalities to 975, while the confirmed death toll remained at 101.

Four of the 11 deaths had occurred on September 21 but were added to the official tally after the information reached health authorities.

Dhaka Division continues to record the highest number of suspected measles deaths, with 439, followed by Sylhet with 170, Rajshahi 93, Mymensingh and Chattogram 78 each, Barishal 60, Khulna 42 and Rangpur 15.

The outbreak is also continuing to generate new infections. The DGHS recorded 1,157 new suspected cases and 113 newly confirmed cases during the latest reporting period, taking cumulative suspected cases to 183,449 and confirmed infections to 20,851.

Since March 15, 162,048 people have been hospitalised with suspected measles. Of them, 155,612 have recovered and been discharged.

Dhaka Division also recorded the highest number of new suspected cases in the latest 24 hours, with 382, followed by Chattogram 238, Sylhet 164, Barishal 148, Khulna 91, Mymensingh 81, Rangpur 27 and Rajshahi 26.

Dengue toll crosses 200
The dengue outbreak has also reached a new milestone, with the national death toll crossing 200 after six more fatalities were reported in the latest 24-hour period.

The DGHS said 201 people have died of dengue this year, while 67,367 patients have been hospitalised since January 1. Of them, 62,117 have been discharged and 5,049 remain under treatment.

The latest 24-hour count also recorded 1,868 new dengue admissions, adding to pressure on hospitals. Dhaka Division accounted for 405 of the new patients, followed by Chattogram 317, Khulna 280, Barishal 178, Rajshahi 156, Mymensingh 113, Rangpur 59 and Sylhet eight.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RAMEC) recorded three dengue deaths between September 19 and 22. Two were attributed to dengue shock syndrome, while the third involved suspected dengue myocarditis followed by cardiac arrest.

During the same four-day period, RAMEC admitted 106 dengue patients and discharged 82, with admissions exceeding discharges on three of the four days.

By September 22, 107 dengue patients remained under treatment at the hospital, up from 104 the previous day.

The continuing rise in fatalities from both diseases is placing additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system, with thousands of patients still requiring treatment.

While the government has continued vaccination and other preventive measures against measles, the outbreak has yet to show a sustained decline in deaths.

At the same time, dengue transmission remains intense, with more than 5,000 patients still hospitalised nationwide.

The figures underline the continuing burden on health facilities as Bangladesh confronts two major infectious disease outbreaks simultaneously.