2 children’s deaths with measles symptoms push toll at Rajshahi Medical to 40 in three months

Two more children have died with measles symptoms at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in the past 24 hours.

The children, aged six and seven months, were admitted from Chapainawabganj Sadar and Shibganj. 

With this, a total of 40 children admitted with measles symptoms have died in the past three months.

Hospital spokesperson Dr Shankar K Biswas said 14 more children with measles symptoms have been admitted in the last 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, 36 children were discharged after receiving treatment. 

Currently, 125 children with measles symptoms are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Dr Shankar added that 70% of the children under treatment are from Chapainawabganj.

Meanwhile, a special measles vaccination campaign has officially started in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi.

The vaccination drive began at 9am today (5 April)  across nine unions, with 28 centres at the upazila health complex and three temporary centres in the municipality.

Children aged between six months and five years are being vaccinated. Children under six months who are infected with measles will receive vitamin A capsules. Each vial is being used to vaccinate five children.

On the first day, 5,650 children in the upazila and 628 in the municipality are set to be vaccinated.

The campaign will continue for the next three weeks from 8am to 4pm. During this period, 6,977 children will be vaccinated at 25 centres in the municipality, and 36,190 children at 217 centres in the upazila.

As of this morning, among 27 suspected measles cases in the upazila, 14 samples have been tested, with eight returning positive. Four children are currently receiving treatment at Premtali Upazila Health Complex.

At 9am today, the vaccination campaign was formally inaugurated at Matikata Community Clinic by Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam.