7 children die from measles, measles-like symptoms in 24hrs; toll rises to 240
During the same 24-hour period, 1,215 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide
Seven children died from measles and measles-like symptoms from 8am yesterday to 8am today (24 April), according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the same 24-hour period, 1,215 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide.
Of these, 172 cases were laboratory-confirmed as measles.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
So far this year, at least 42 children have died from confirmed measles infections in Bangladesh.
In addition, 198 children have died with symptoms consistent with measles.
DGHS data shows that between 15 March and 24 April, a total of 4,231measles cases were confirmed through laboratory testing.
According to the latest health bulletin, 29,549 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide.
Of these, 16,527 patients have already been discharged after receiving treatment.
WHO flags high national risk as measles outbreak spreads across Bangladesh
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh as a high national risk, warning of continued transmission unless urgent measures are taken to close immunity gaps and strengthen vaccination efforts.
In an evaluation report published yesterday, WHO said Bangladesh notified the agency on 4 April 2026 of a sharp nationwide increase in measles cases under the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism.
The outbreak has already spread to 58 out of 64 districts across all eight divisions, indicating widespread transmission.
Children are bearing the brunt of the outbreak. WHO noted that 79% of reported cases are among children under five, while 91% of cases fall within the 1-14 years age group. The report highlighted significant immunity gaps among younger populations.
Immunity gaps and low vaccination coverage
According to the WHO, the current outbreak is largely driven by suboptimal population immunity. A considerable number of infected children were either unvaccinated or had received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine.
Some cases were also reported among infants who were too young to be vaccinated, as the first dose is administered at nine months.
Bangladesh had previously made strong progress toward measles elimination. Coverage of the first dose of measles vaccine rose from 89% in 2000 to 118% in 2016, while second-dose coverage improved significantly after its nationwide introduction in 2012, reaching 121% by 2024. During this period, measles incidence declined sharply.
However, WHO pointed out that this progress has recently reversed.
A nationwide stockout of measles-rubella (MR) vaccines between 2024 and 2025, combined with gaps in routine immunisation and the absence of large-scale supplementary campaigns since 2020, has left a growing number of children susceptible to infection.
Ongoing response and concerns
To contain the outbreak, a targeted measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched on 5 April.
Authorities are also strengthening nationwide surveillance and epidemiological analysis to improve case detection and reporting.
Despite these efforts, the WHO warned that the concentration of cases among unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children, including infants, raises the risk of continued transmission and severe disease outcomes.
"The outbreak signals a setback in Bangladesh's progress toward measles elimination and underscores increasing vulnerability to sustained transmission," the report noted.
WHO emphasised that without urgent, high-quality vaccination campaigns, improved surveillance, and rapid response measures, the outbreak is likely to continue spreading.
WHO has recommended maintaining at least 95% coverage of both the first and second doses of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV) across all municipalities to prevent outbreaks.
The UN health agency also stressed the need to strengthen integrated epidemiological surveillance of measles and rubella to ensure timely detection of suspected cases across public, private and social security healthcare facilities.
In addition, the WHO urged authorities to enhance surveillance in high-traffic border areas to enable rapid detection and response to suspected measles cases.
It further recommended swift action against imported cases to prevent the re-establishment of endemic transmission, including activating trained rapid response teams and implementing national response protocols.
