Measles death toll surpasses 500; govt to procure vitamin A capsules to help curb outbreak
According to the finance ministry, policy approval has been given to procure both 2 lakh IU and 1 lakh IU vitamin A capsules through Unicef under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) to ensure uninterrupted supply
More than 71,000 children across Bangladesh have received treatment for measles and suspected measles so far this year, while 512 have died.
Alongside vaccination efforts, the government is now placing renewed emphasis on addressing vitamin A deficiency as part of its measles response. To help prevent measles, night blindness and other illnesses, the government is procuring around 2 crore 64 lakh IU (International unit) of vitamin A capsules.
The capsules are being purchased with support from Unicef at a cost of Tk14.71 crore, according to finance ministry sources.
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The decision was approved yesterday at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
According to the finance ministry, policy approval has been given to procure both 2 lakh IU and 1 lakh IU vitamin A capsules through Unicef under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain told The Business Standard that existing stocks are currently being distributed among children infected with measles and those considered at risk.
"Unicef will deliver the vitamin A capsules by 10 June. A total of 2 crore 24 lakh 2,00,000 IU capsules and 40 lakh 1,00,000 IU capsules will arrive in the country. Once they arrive, a decision will be made on launching a campaign," he said.
Directorate General of Health Services officials said no vitamin A capsules were procured after June 2024 due to the suspension of the sector programme. The latest Vitamin A Plus campaign was held in March 2025 using previously purchased stock.
Bangladesh has been administering vitamin A capsules to children since 1973 to combat blindness and malnutrition. Since 2003, the programme has been run as the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign, with deworming tablets added alongside vitamin A supplementation.
Dr Sanjay Kumar Dey, Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangladesh Medical University, told TBS that the absence of a campaign for more than a year means many children missed their vitamin A doses, and the impact is now being reflected in the current pattern of measles infections.
He said vitamin A is crucial for children because it helps prevent night blindness and supports the body's ability to fight infections.
"There is a direct relationship between measles and vitamin A deficiency. Measles depletes vitamin A levels in the body. If a child is already deficient, the disease can become severe and lead to complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malnutrition," he said.
He added that malnourished children infected with measles may face a mortality risk 10 to 15 times higher than healthy children.
Experts call for emergency response
Public health experts say the country is not treating the rise in measles infections and deaths with adequate urgency, warning that coordinated action and expanded vaccination coverage are needed to bring the situation under control.
Public health expert Dr Benazir Ahmed said measles infections and deaths are not being given the importance they deserve and that no effective nationwide response is currently visible.
He said the deaths of 10 to 13 children a day, pushing the total toll past 500, should not be treated as normal.
Calling the situation "wartime", he urged the government to increase ICU and ventilator capacity, expand hospital beds and wards, and form expert committees to analyse each death and quickly address gaps in treatment.
He also stressed the need for death audits for every measles-related child fatality and suggested the government consider declaring measles an epidemic to facilitate local and international support.
Public health specialist Dr M Mushtaq Hossain said reducing child deaths from measles will require both continued vaccination and a broader coordinated response.
He proposed a three-tier treatment approach: identifying at-risk children in communities and providing targeted care; treating children with breathing difficulties using high-flow oxygen to reduce pressure on hospitals; and ensuring ICU support for critical cases.
He also urged authorities to intensify vaccination efforts over the next month, including deploying mobile vaccination teams in urban areas and, if necessary, offering vaccines at night, similar to strategies used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Increased travel during Eid could accelerate transmission further, particularly among malnourished children, who face a higher risk of death," he warned.
He added that rapid vitamin A supplementation among malnourished children could help reduce severe measles complications.
