Nine die in 24 hours as measles cases rise nationwide

Nine people died from measles and measles-like symptoms from 8am yesterday to 8am today (9 April), according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

During the same 24 hours, 1,187 patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals nationwide. Of these, 642 cases were laboratory-confirmed as measles.

So far this year, at least 23 children have died from confirmed measles infections in Bangladesh. In addition, 143 children have died with symptoms consistent with measles.

DGHS data shows that between 15 March and 9 April, a total of 2,241 measles cases were confirmed through laboratory testing.

According to the latest health bulletin, 12,320 suspected measles cases have been identified nationwide. Of these, 8,251 patients have already been discharged after receiving treatment.

Barishal

Two more children died from measles at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital from 8am yesterday to 8am today.

The deceased were five-month-old Abdullah from Bakerganj in Barishal and nine-month-old Abu Saleh from Amtali in Barguna.

Barishal Divisional Health Director Dr Shyamal Krishna Mondal confirmed the deaths.

With the latest fatalities, the death toll from measles in the division has risen to 12.

During the same 24 hours, 100 new patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals in the division.

Health officials said that from 1 January to 8 April, a total of 1,080 patients were hospitalised with measles-like symptoms in Barishal division.

Sylhet

Another child died from measles in Sylhet from 8am yesterday to 8am today.

The deceased, Arisha, aged five months and 21 days, was from Gobindaganj in Chhatak, Sunamganj. She died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Assistant Director (Disease Control) Dr Mohammad Noore Alam Shamim said the child had been admitted to Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital on 6 April with pneumonia and fever.

"She was later shifted to the ICU at Osmani Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened, where she died at night," he said.

The death toll from measles in Sylhet has now reached two.

Earlier, on 6 April, a two-month-old child also died from measles at the same hospital.

During the same 24 hours, two new cases were confirmed through laboratory tests, while 36 suspected patients were admitted to different hospitals, including 14 at Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital.

From 1 January to 6 April, a total of 39 cases were laboratory-confirmed in the division.

Rajshahi

The measles outbreak at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) continues, with four more children dying from 8am yesterday to 8am today.

During the same period, 27 suspected measles patients were admitted, while 24 were discharged after treatment.

Currently, 132 patients with measles symptoms are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

A total of 479 patients have been admitted so far, and the death toll has risen to 50.

Dr Sankar K Biswas said immediate medical attention is crucial if measles symptoms appear and urged parents to ensure proper vaccination.

Faridpur

Two children died with measles-like symptoms at Faridpur Medical College Hospital from 8am yesterday until 6pm today.

The deceased were seven-month-old Sabiha, daughter of Md Selim from Sannasichar area of Shibchar upazila in Madaripur, and six-month-old Ayatullah, son of Jasim from Sarisha village in Pangsha upazila of Rajbari.

Faridpur Civil Surgeon Dr Mahmudul Hasan said Sabiha died on Wednesday night and Ayatullah on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

During the same period, 17 more children were admitted with measles-like symptoms in the district.

So far, 185 children have received treatment with measles-like symptoms in the district, of whom 103 have returned home after treatment.

A total of three children have died so far, he said, adding that two were from Madaripur and one from Rajbari, and no child from Faridpur district has died yet.

Chattogram

Sixteen more children have been admitted to different hospitals in Chattogram from 8am yesterday until 8am today with symptoms resembling measles and pneumonia, raising the total number of children currently undergoing treatment in the district to 89.

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

"Over the last 24 hours, samples from 19 more children have been sent to Dhaka for laboratory testing. Of these, 15 samples were collected from the metropolitan area and 4 from upazila-level facilities," he said.

So far, a total of 301 samples from Chattogram have been sent to Dhaka for testing, including 186 from the city and 115 from different upazilas.

The civil surgeon added that no new measles cases were confirmed during the same period.

However, the total number of confirmed cases in the district stands at 26, including 18 in the metropolitan area and 8 from various upazilas.

Meanwhile, 23 children have recovered and returned home after receiving treatment in the last 24 hours, according to health officials.

The district health department said that affected children are receiving treatment at various public and private hospitals, including Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chattogram General Hospital, and Maa-O-Shishu Hospital.