Measles outbreak: Dhaka division accounts for 50% of total fatalities

Dhaka division has accounted for half of the total deaths reported across the country from measles and similar symptoms this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Since 15 March, a total of 336 children have died from measles and symptoms consistent with the highly contagious yet preventable disease nationwide, with 168 deaths reported in Dhaka division alone, representing 50% of the total fatalities, shows the data released by the DGHS yesterday (7 May).

Of the deaths recorded in Dhaka, 38 were confirmed as measles-related, while the remaining 130 were classified as suspected.

The DGHS data also shows that the division recorded 20,581 suspected measles cases and 4,177 confirmed infections.

After Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions reported the second and third highest suspected measles deaths, with 78 and 25 respectively.

In the 24 hours till 8am yesterday, 12 more children died from measles and measles-like symptoms, according to the DGHS.

Of them, one death was confirmed as measles-related, while 11 were listed as suspected. Five of the suspected deaths were reported from Dhaka.

With the latest figures, the total number of confirmed measles deaths since March 15 has risen to 57, while suspected deaths stand at 279.

The DGHS data also shows that 1,238 new suspected measles cases were recorded during the reporting period, bringing the total to 45,498.

In the same period, 286 new confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 6,208.

Since March 15, a total of 31,912 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised, of whom 28,238 have recovered, the DGHS said.