3 more children die in Sylhet with measles, related symptoms, toll reaches 31
At present, 217 suspected measles patients are undergoing treatment at different government and private hospitals across the Sylhet division
Three more children died with measles symptoms in Sylhet in the past 24 hours, as fatalities linked to measles and suspected infections continue to rise across the division.
With the latest deaths, the total number of fatalities has climbed to 31 in the division, all of them children, confirmed today (13 May) by the Sylhet divisional director of Health's office.
The deceased were identified as two-year-three-month-old Hafiza Akter from Kanaighat in Sylhet, one-year-four-month-old Raisa Jannat from Jagannathpur in Sunamganj and eight-month-old Ariya Jannat from Chhatak.
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During the same period, 92 new suspected patients were admitted to hospitals.
At present, 217 suspected measles patients are undergoing treatment at different government and private hospitals across the Sylhet division.
Of them, 110 are admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmad Hospital and 50 to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Hospitals in Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar are also experiencing growing patient pressure.
In the last 24 hours, 30 patients were admitted to Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmad Hospital, while another 26 were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
According to health department data, the number of confirmed measles cases in Sylhet since the beginning of the year has reached 147, with the highest number- 73 cases recorded in Sunamganj.
Amid the growing outbreak, a 32-bed measles unit was launched on Monday (11 May) at the paediatric ward of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Authorities have also added a five-bed intensive care unit (ICU), raising the total number of ICU beds in Sylhet to 22.
Director of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital Omar Munir Rashed said the hospital had been facing a shortage of space due to the rising number of measles patients.
"As patient pressure increased, a special measles isolation unit was launched at the hospital's paediatric ward on Monday. At the same time, ICU capacity was expanded by five beds," he said.
