At least 194 children have died in Bangladesh amid what authorities describe as the worst measles outbreak in South Asia in decades.
Recent data from Bangladesh’s health authorities show a rapidly worsening situation, with deaths rising sharply since mid-March, when the outbreak began. Some reports indicate that suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths have exceeded 170 in recent weeks, with tens of thousands of cases recorded nationwide.
According to local officials, between three and five children have been dying daily over the past week as the highly contagious disease spreads.
The total number of cases has surpassed 28,000, placing significant strain on hospitals and healthcare services, particularly in the capital, Dhaka.
In response, the government launched an emergency vaccination campaign on March 15, targeting millions of children in an effort to contain the outbreak. Health authorities aim to immunize large segments of the population, especially young children who are most vulnerable.
The resurgence of measles in Bangladesh has been linked to gaps in immunization coverage and disruptions in vaccination programs, with experts warning that even small declines in vaccination rates can lead to large-scale outbreaks.
Measles remains one of the most contagious diseases globally, posing a particularly high risk to unvaccinated children under the age of five.
