10 more die of measles-like symptoms in 24 hours

Ten more children died from measles and similar symptoms in Bangladesh in 24 hours till 8:00 am on Tuesday, taking the total death toll to 555 since 15th March 2026.

Of the new deaths, one was confirmed as measles-related while the remaining nine were classified as suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Among the suspected deaths, the highest three were reported in Dhaka division.

With these, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 88 while suspected deaths have reached 467, it said.

According to DGHS data, a total of 1,083suspected measles cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the overall suspected cases to 66,023.

During the same period, 53 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 8,772.

Since March 15, a total of 52,530 suspected measles patients were hospitalised, of whom 48,800 have recovered.

A nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign was launched on April  aimed at addressing the ongoing outbreak.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the vaccination campaign. 

The initiative aims to vaccinate around 1.8 crore children aged 6 months to under 5 years across the country.

On April 5, the government, with support from UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign to protect more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years in 30 upazilas in 18 high-risk districts.

On May 11, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain said the measles situation is expected to come under control within four weeks as vaccinated people will develop immunity during this period.

The number of patients has already started declining, he said while talking to reporters after visiting Barishal Sadar Hospital, reports UNB.