Bangladesh measles outbreak death toll reaches 451 as 12 children die

At least 12 additional children died from measles or measles‑like symptoms in Bangladesh, bringing the total confirmed and suspected deaths since mid‑March to 451. The Directorate General of Health Services recorded 111 new confirmed cases and saw 1,192 patients seek care for symptoms, with 1,016 admissions. Confirmed fatalities include two in Dhaka division, one each in Chattogram and Barisal, while suspected deaths were reported in Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

Health experts urged the government to accelerate the ongoing measles vaccination campaign and establish "fever corners" at local health complexes for early detection of measles and pneumonia. Protesters formed a human chain in Dhaka demanding trial of former interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and health adviser Nurjahan Begum and compensation for victims’ families. The outbreak has been described as an "avoidable disaster" after inadequate vaccination coverage and malnutrition, linked to the previous interim government's dismantling of a functional vaccine procurement system.

The Daily Star editorial warned that Bangladesh’s two‑decade‑long model of high vaccination coverage has been "squandered with shocking negligence" by the past interim government.