Measles cases top 33,000 as experts press for restoring routine immunisation

Health experts have warned that an emergency vaccination drive alone will not be sufficient to contain the ongoing measles outbreak, urging authorities to prioritise restoring routine immunisation and strengthening the overall health system.

At a discussion on tackling the 2026 measles outbreak held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital today (27 April), they also emphasised prioritising the most vulnerable children. 

Measles cases across the country have now surpassed 33,000, while deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms have exceeded 250. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), five children died from measles and related symptoms between 8am yesterday and 8am today.

During the same 24-hour period, 1,448 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide, of whom 90 cases were confirmed as measles.

So far this year, at least 44 children have died from confirmed measles infections, while another 220 deaths were recorded with symptoms consistent with measles. DGHS data shows that between 15 March and 26 April, 4,693 cases were confirmed through laboratory testing.

Overall, 33,386 suspected cases have been identified, with 19,018 patients already discharged after treatment.

Experts call for 95% MR coverage, system strengthening

As the situation shows no sign of improvement, health experts stressed the need to raise two-dose Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine coverage to at least 95%, identify missed cohorts, ensure uninterrupted vaccine supply and cold chain maintenance, and strengthen surveillance and case management.

The event was organised by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), UNICEF Bangladesh, and the Health Protection Foundation.

They also put emphasis on increasing youth engagement to build community trust in vaccination, counter misinformation, and ensure accurate information reaches families, highlighting the crucial role young people can play.

Public health specialist Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed, chair of the CSO Constituency Steering Committee of GAVI, said the immunisation programme is one of Bangladesh's most successful initiatives but needs urgent strengthening.

He called for immediate recruitment against vacant EPI posts, regular vaccine stock monitoring, dedicated vaccination staff in city corporations, swift budget allocation, and improved vaccine supply and cold chain management under government financing. He also stressed special vaccination efforts in remote and high-risk areas.

Dr Nizam noted that the outbreak is currently at its peak, adding that within the next week, 80% of children are expected to be brought under measles vaccination coverage, with cases likely to decline by mid-May.

9,659,754 children receive vaccines so far

Emergency MR vaccination campaigns targeting children aged 6 to 59 months began on 5 April, initially aiming to vaccinate around 12 lakh children in 30 upazilas across 18 priority districts.

A nationwide campaign started on 20 April, alongside rapid response teams, isolation facilities, strengthened surveillance, and intensified awareness activities.

According to DGHS data, as of 26 April, 9,659,754 children have already received measles vaccines under the emergency campaign.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that measles has spread to 58 of the country's 64 districts, assessing the situation as a high-risk national outbreak. A large proportion of infected individuals are children under five, with many either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, indicating significant immunity gaps.

Health experts further stressed that beyond emergency vaccination, restoring routine immunisation services, ensuring two-dose MR coverage, strengthening health systems, and providing Vitamin A supplementation and deworming are critical to controlling the outbreak.

Public health expert Dr M Mushtuq Husain noted that early detection is difficult as the virus spreads days before symptoms appear, making preventive vaccination the most effective measure.