Another child dies with measles symptoms in Cumilla, death toll rises to 5

Another child died with measles symptoms while undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital on Thursday (16 April) morning.

Dr Masud Parvez, director of CuMCH, confirmed the matter today (19 April), marking the second local death in the district attributed to measles-like symptoms.

The dead child was identified as 10-month-old Hossain, son of Shah Poran from Muradnagar Upazila.

He was admitted to the hospital on the night of 14 April with fever and a cough. Although his condition showed slight improvement after three days of treatment, he died on Thursday morning.

According to official data, Cumilla has seen a rise in measles cases this year. As of 19 April, a total of 757 patients sought treatment with measles symptoms. Among them, 421 were hospitalised, and 310 have since been discharged.

Among the cases, 28 have been confirmed as measles. Severely ill patients referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment resulted in three deaths there.

Earlier, a child died on 16 April, the first locally reported case, followed by another on 17 April, bringing the total death toll to five. Two deaths occurred within the district, with all victims showing measles-like symptoms, though none were laboratory confirmed cases.

Cumilla Civil Surgeon Dr Ali Noor Bashir Ahmed said two children had died locally with measles-like symptoms, adding that they were also suffering from other illnesses.

He added that the measles situation in Cumilla is at a "third level", though the infection rate remains relatively low for a district of its size. "Patients from neighbouring districts also seek treatment here," he said, urging greater awareness as authorities are working to bring the outbreak under control.