Bangladesh measles outbreak kills 738 children

A measles outbreak in Bangladesh has intensified in 2026, with seven additional child deaths reported in a 24‑hour period, raising the total death toll to 738 (93 laboratory‑confirmed and 645 suspected). During the same interval, 925 new suspected cases and 106 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the nationwide totals to 105,618 suspected and 12,632 confirmed infections.

Since mid‑March, 88,844 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalized, of whom 85,122 have recovered. A May vaccination drive reached about 1.84 crore children, but health experts say vaccination coverage fell short of the 95 % target in many areas and infection‑prevention measures in hospitals and communities were weak. Isolation and quarantine protocols were largely ignored, and officials plan a revised house‑to‑house micro‑planning campaign for children under five. Experts warn that the upcoming dengue season could exacerbate complications for infected children.