A sharp rise in measles infections across Bangladesh has triggered growing anxiety among parents, as child deaths increase and the outbreak spreads to every district, raising concerns over safety in schools and daycare centres.
At least 42 children have died from measles so far this year, though the toll could be 46 or higher when data from district and private hospitals are included.
Alarmingly, 32 of the deaths were reported in March alone.
In the past 24 hours, four more children have died, while 685 new infections were recorded, according to the health services division.
Health officials say the outbreak has now reached even remote upazilas, with hospitals struggling to cope.
At the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali alone, 21 child deaths have been reported.
Doctors also noted a worrying trend: most infected children are under nine months old, an age group not yet covered by routine vaccination.
Parents fear exposure in schools
The rapid spread has led many parents to reconsider sending children to school or daycare.
A parent of a nursery student at a school in Banasree said they had temporarily stopped sending their child to classes and would reassess the situation next week.
The school has introduced precautionary measures, but concerns remain.
In Dhaka’s Shewrapara, another parent said she had kept her child away from daycare for several days, citing fear of infection and concerns about treatment facilities.
Similar caution is being seen outside the capital.
In Chandpur’s Hajiganj, a mother said she was keeping her child at home and would decide later whether it was safe to return to school.
Schools step up precautions
School authorities say they are taking preventive steps to limit transmission.
At one school, a child showing symptoms was immediately sent home from the gate to avoid contact with others.
Administrators said awareness programs have been conducted and government health guidelines are being followed.
Public health experts have advised parents not to panic, noting that most school-going children are expected to be protected if fully vaccinated.
Under the national immunization schedule, children receive measles vaccines at nine and 15 months, providing strong protection against infection.
However, experts warned that children who missed vaccination remain vulnerable, and urged parents to isolate symptomatic cases and seek medical care promptly.
Dr Riaz Mubarak of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital said the situation is concerning, particularly due to infections among very young infants.
“We are seeing cases even in children as young as four months, which is unusual,” he said, adding that further research is needed to understand whether virus behaviour has changed.
Vaccination gaps
Health officials say gaps in immunisation coverage have played a major role in the outbreak.
In 2025, around 44% of children were outside measles vaccine coverage.
The routine nationwide campaign, usually held every four years, was also not conducted that year.
To contain the spread, the government is launching an emergency vaccination drive targeting children aged six months to 10 years, significantly expanding the usual age range.
Bangladesh is procuring 21.9 million vaccine doses with support from Gavi to support the campaign.
Race to contain outbreak
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said authorities are responding with urgency to control the outbreak.
Experts stress that measles remains a preventable disease, with vaccination as the most effective defence.
As infections continue to rise, restoring confidence in immunisation and ensuring timely vaccine coverage are now seen as critical to protecting children and easing growing public concern.