Bangladesh measles outbreak kills over 1,000 children

Bangladesh is facing its most severe measles outbreak in decades, with more than 1,000 children reported dead. Since March, there have been over 194,000 suspected or confirmed cases of the highly contagious virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Bangladesh has recorded more measles cases than any other country so far this year.

Despite an emergency vaccination campaign that has reached over 19.8 million children, approximately 1,000 new suspected cases are being reported daily. UNICEF has noted that the outbreak was fueled by factors including overcrowding and delays in routine immunizations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There have also been allegations regarding delays in vaccine orders by the interim government, though health officials have denied any shortages.

Approximately 79 percent of reported cases involve children under the age of five, with infants under nine months being particularly vulnerable. In response, the government is preparing to enter an “intensified phase” of its vaccination campaign starting September 26, prioritizing children who have not yet received the vaccine.