3 more suspected measles deaths, 947 hospitalised in last 24hrs: DGHS

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported three more suspected measles-related deaths in the last 24 hours as of today (3 April).

According to DGHS data, the deaths were recorded between 8am yesterday and 8am today.

During the same period, some 947 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals, while 42 cases were later confirmed through laboratories as measles.

However, the DGHS today clarified that a total of five deaths have been deducted from the confirmed measles deaths. These have been excluded from the national report due to incorrect information being sent from the district level. The districts concerned are Brahmanbaria-3, Laxmipur-1, and Chandpur-1.

A new measles patient has been reported to have died at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, which has been included in the current report.

The DGHS reported a total of 42 confirmed measles infections in the last 24 hours as of 8am today, while three patients died with suspected measles symptoms in the same period.

Data compiled by the DGHS shows that between 15 March and 2 April, a total of 771 measles cases have been lab-confirmed. Over the same period, the confirmed death toll has risen to nine.

According to the latest health bulletin, a total of 3,776 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide. Of them, some 2,527 patients have already been discharged after receiving treatment.

Regionally, the highest number of cases has been reported in Dhaka division, followed by Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions.

16 hospitalised in Chattogram

Additionally, sixteen more children have been admitted to different hospitals in Chattogram in a single day with two deaths.

The total number of confirmed measles patients, under treatment in Chattogram alone, has risen to 102.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam told The Business Standard that most of the newly admitted children are showing symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulties and skin rashes, which are consistent with measles and pneumonia.

He said that so far, 155 samples have been sent to Dhaka for testing.

Of these, 81 reports have been received, with two children testing positive for measles. The identified cases are from Lohagara and Patiya upazilas of the district.

According to the district health department, many of the affected children have not yet reached the eligible age for vaccination, making the situation more complex.

The affected children are under treatment at various hospitals in Chattogram. Meanwhile, nine children have already recovered and returned home after treatment.