Suspected and confirmed measles deaths in Bangladesh exceed 500

At least 86 children have been confirmed to have died from measles in Bangladesh this year, and another 426 have died with symptoms consistent with the disease, health authorities said on Saturday (23), as the country battles one of its worst outbreaks in decades.

Cases have spread rapidly in recent months, overwhelming hospitals and putting severe pressure on already fragile health services, particularly in rural districts and densely populated low-income urban areas.

Health authorities identified 62,507 suspected cases of measles across the country, in addition to 8,494 laboratory-confirmed infections between March 15 and May 23, according to data from the General Directorate of Health Services.

Children under five are most vulnerable to serious infection and death, particularly those who are unvaccinated or only partially immunized, health authorities said.

Last month, the World Health Organization said declining routine immunization coverage increased the risk of a large-scale outbreak.

Since then, the government has expanded emergency vaccination campaigns against measles and rubella, targeting young children.

The government says it has also deployed rapid response teams, strengthened disease surveillance and increased distribution of vitamin A to reduce complications.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but it can be largely prevented with two doses of vaccine.

Source: CNN