Bangladesh measles outbreak kills 680, infects 95,000 children

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe nationwide measles outbreak that has spread to all 64 districts. Health authorities report more than 95,760 suspected cases and 11,390 laboratory‑confirmed infections, with official death counts above 680; UNICEF estimates the toll could be closer to 750. Children under five account for about 81 % of cases, and the disease has heavily impacted Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char as well as densely populated urban areas such as Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chattogram.

Hospitals are overwhelmed, with paediatric wards operating at double capacity and shortages of beds and oxygen equipment. Families are struggling to afford treatment, and many children are admitted with complications such as pneumonia and heart failure. In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, together with UNICEF and WHO, launched an emergency Measles‑Rubella campaign that has immunised over 18.4 million children, surpassing its target. The daily infection rate has begun to decline, but the outbreak continues to strain the health system.