Bangladesh has reported more than 53,000 suspected measles cases this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), as the country continues to grapple with a large-scale outbreak affecting children in particular.
A total of 53,056 suspected cases were reported until 8am on Wednesday, of which 7,150 were confirmed as measles infections, DGHS data showed.
During the same period, deaths linked to measles and measles-like symptoms stood at 363, with 69 confirmed measles-related deaths.
In the last 24 hours alone, 1,489 new suspected cases were reported, along with 126 confirmed infections. Seven suspected deaths and one confirmed death were recorded over the same period.
From March 15 to Wednesday morning, 38,054 patients were hospitalized, while 33,832 were discharged. Health authorities said most infected patients and fatalities were children.
Public health experts say the situation marks one of the largest measles outbreaks in recent years. At a meeting of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) in April, experts agreed that deaths showing measles-like symptoms during an outbreak should also be counted as measles-related fatalities.
Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain told Dhaka Tribune that gaps in timely vaccination efforts had contributed to the worsening situation.
“Had a proper tier-based treatment system been followed during the outbreak, the mortality rate could have been significantly reduced,” he said.
He also said that when cases exceed 50,000, a public health emergency should be declared, adding that the absence of such a declaration has weakened coordinated response efforts.
Virologist and public health specialist Dr Mahbuba Jamil said the number of cases has risen abnormally this year.
“If vaccination activities continue, transmission may begin to decline within the next few weeks. Areas where vaccination drives have been conducted are showing relatively better conditions,” she said, adding that Sylhet is currently reporting a higher number of infections.
Highest outbreak in over two decades
Over the past 25 years, measles cases in Bangladesh have never crossed the 50,000 mark. The previous highest recorded outbreak was in 2005, when 25,934 cases were reported. Since then, numbers had gradually declined.
Between 2020 and 2024, reported cases stood at 2,410, 203, 311, 281, and 247 respectively. In 2025, only 132 cases were recorded.
While Bangladesh had been progressing towards measles elimination, a sudden outbreak emerged earlier this year, leading to a rise in child deaths. Experts say gaps in vaccination coverage last year, along with malnutrition, have contributed significantly to the current situation.
Public health and vaccine expert Tajul Islam Bari said infections and deaths were increasing but were not being effectively controlled, and he called for the declaration of a public health emergency.
He also said infections among adults highlight the severity of the outbreak.
“Measles is typically a childhood disease. When adults begin getting infected, it reflects weaknesses in the public health system,” he said.
Bari stressed the need for post-vaccination immunity testing, adding that shortages of testing kits and laboratory facilities remain a major challenge. He urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to support these efforts and called for coordinated action among stakeholders.
Bangladesh among five countries with highest cases
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, Bangladesh has become the fifth country to report more than 50,000 measles cases in a single year.
Previously, India, Ukraine, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported similar large-scale outbreaks.
India recorded 65,150 cases in 2023. Ukraine reported more than 50,000 cases in 2018 and 2019. Madagascar recorded 213,231 cases in 2019. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported more than 50,000 cases multiple times over the past decade, including a peak of 333,107 cases in 2019.