Measles-related death toll rises to 1,114

Four children with measles and measles-like symptoms died in the 24 hours preceding 8am on Friday, taking Bangladesh’s combined toll of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1,114, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the total deaths, 102 were confirmed to have been caused by measles, while 1,012 involved children who died with measles-like symptoms, according to the latest DGHS data.

During the same period, 1,221 new suspected measles cases were reported across the country, taking the nationwide tally to 194,084.

The health directorate also recorded 21 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the 24-hour period, raising the total number of confirmed infections to 21,623.

Since March 15, a total of 172,021 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, the data showed.

Of them, 166,933 have recovered, according to the latest DGHS figures.