Measles outbreak: Death toll in Barishal division rises to 46 as 2 more die
The head of the paediatrics department at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital says patient pressure has been increasing over the past few days.
Two more children with measles symptoms died at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in 24 hours to this morning (25 May), raising the death toll in Barishal division to 46.
The deceased were six-month-old Ahad from Doulatkhan in Bhola and five-month-old Ali Akbar from Mehendiganj upazila of Barishal, according to the office of the divisional health director.
Per official data, 133 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to government hospitals in the division between in the 24 hours to 8am today.
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The total number of cases is now 6,785, with 5,798 patients discharged so far after treatment.
Of the newly admitted patients, 34 were admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, 22 to Barishal General Hospital and one to another government hospital in Barishal district.
In other districts, 37 cases were detected in Patuakhali, 15 in Bhola, five in Pirojpur, 10 in Jhalakathi and nine in Barguna.
Dr Bikash Chandra Nag, head of the paediatrics department at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said patient pressure has been increasing over the past few days.
"Even newborns are being infected. The situation is worrying. We are also struggling to manage the treatment pressure," he said.
Dr Mohammad Lokman Hakim, acting divisional health director, said, "Although infections have increased somewhat, we are making our highest efforts to provide treatment. We hope the outbreak will come under control soon."
