The measles outbreak in Bangladesh has intensified, with 10 more deaths reported in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest fatalities bring the total death toll from measles and related symptoms to 151.
Of the 10 deaths recorded until 8 am Sunday, four were laboratory-confirmed measles cases.
During this 24-hour window, the DGHS identified 1,268 suspected new cases, with 762 patients admitted to various hospitals across the country.
The Dhaka division remains the hardest-hit region, accounting for five of the most recent deaths. Nationally, the total number of hospitalizations due to suspected measles has climbed to 10,225.
Out of these, 7,656 patients have recovered and been discharged. The DGHS further clarified that between March 15 and April 12, the number of strictly confirmed measles deaths reached 28.
In response to the escalating crisis, the government officially launched the Emergency Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026 in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) areas on Sunday.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the drive at Nagar Bhaban, emphasizing the need to curb the spread of this preventable disease.
Under the month-long initiative, health workers aim to vaccinate 402,456 children aged between 6 and 59 months.
A network of 540 vaccination centers—comprising 90 permanent and 450 temporary sites—has been established across the city.
The campaign will operate daily from 9 am to 4 pm and is scheduled to continue until May 11.
With Inputs from UNB
