Bangladesh measles outbreak claims 545 child lives

An ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed 545 children, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Over the past 24 hours, 17 additional deaths were recorded, bringing the cumulative toll since mid‑March to 458 suspected and 87 confirmed measles‑related deaths.

DGHS reported 1,127 new suspected cases and 97 confirmed cases in the same 24‑hour period, raising the national totals to 64,940 suspected and 8,719 confirmed infections. More than 51,500 patients have been hospitalized, with 47,619 discharged after treatment.

UNICEF officials say they warned the interim government repeatedly about vaccine shortages from 2024 onward, sending five to six letters and raising the issue in ten meetings. They allege that despite the alerts, sufficient vaccine supplies were not procured, contributing to the escalating crisis.