Bangladesh measles outbreak kills 194 children as suspected cases top 28,000

DHAKA: Bangladesh has recorded 194 child deaths in a measles outbreak that began last month, while the number of suspected cases among children has crossed 28,000, according to government data released on Thursday.

The official figures showed that between three and five children had been dying each day from the disease over the past week. Five children died on Wednesday, including three in the capital, Dhaka, and another five deaths were reported on Thursday.

The government said it had rolled out a nationwide vaccination campaign after the outbreak began on March 15, describing it as the country’s worst measles crisis in decades.

"Our target is to vaccinate 18 million children," health department spokesman Zahid Raihan told AFP.

"So far, we have covered a little over one-fourth of our target, and it may take another two weeks to see the impact of this vaccination programme."

The outbreak has also brought personal tragedies into focus. Md Sajib and Afsin Meem lost their three-year-old son, their only child, on Tuesday. A photograph showing a relative carrying the child’s body along a road was widely shared by news websites.

"After noticing a rash on our son's skin, we rushed him to the hospital. Five days later, we brought him back dead," Sajib told AFP.

"He had a high fever and breathing difficulties."

Vaccination delays and official response

According to the World Health Organization, measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world and spreads through coughs and sneezes. It can affect people of any age, though it is most common in children, and may lead to complications including brain swelling and severe respiratory illness.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman blamed the previous administration of Sheikh Hasina, which was removed in a 2024 revolution, as well as the caretaker government that followed, for failing to vaccinate the population.

Bangladesh has made notable progress in immunisation against infectious diseases, but a measles vaccination drive scheduled for June 2024 was delayed because of the deadly uprising that led to Hasina’s removal from power.

"The autocratic government that we ousted, together with political parties both inside and outside parliament, did not procure vaccines," said Rahman, who took office in February.

Rahman also told parliament that Bangladesh was receiving support from the UN children’s agency, but said the country was facing a shortage of testing kits.

The latest government data underlines the scale of the outbreak as authorities continue their vaccination effort across the country in an attempt to contain the spread of the disease.