The ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh, which has continued for over a month, shows no sign of slowing down, with increasing numbers of patients seeking treatment at both government and private hospitals every day.
In response to the worsening situation, the government has launched an emergency nationwide measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign. The next phase of the program was officially inaugurated on Monday at multiple locations across the country.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain formally inaugurated the campaign at the “Little Angel Seminary” in Jinda Park of Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj. The nationwide rollout was later announced through coordinated events across different regions. In Sirajganj, the campaign was also inaugurated at Shahjadpur Upazila Health Complex by State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit.
According to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the campaign had already been underway since April 5 in 30 upazilas across 18 high-risk districts. It was later expanded on April 12 to Dhaka North and South city corporations, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal city corporations. The next nationwide phase began on Monday.
Officials said the campaign will continue until May 12 in most areas and until May 20 in city corporation areas. Although it was initially scheduled to begin nationwide on May 3, the launch was advanced to April 20 due to the deteriorating situation. More than 1.1 million children were targeted for vaccination on the first day, while around 17 million children aged 6 to 59 months will be covered in total. Vaccination is being conducted daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm at designated fixed and outreach centres, except on weekly holidays.
Hospital data from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Hospital shows that 214 patients with measles-like symptoms arrived in the last 24 hours, of whom 127 required admission. Over the past three days, 671 patients have sought treatment there, with 347 admitted. At present, 51 patients are in intensive care.
At the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Superintendent Dr FA Asma Khan said 32 patients were treated in emergency and outpatient services in the past 24 hours, while 13 were admitted. The previous day, 81 patients received treatment and 7 were admitted.
She added that the hospital, which has a 100-bed capacity, is currently treating 103 measles patients, including 63 admitted cases, with 4 in ICU and 7 in HDU. Since March 15, a total of 1,196 patients have received treatment there, 807 have been admitted, and 662 have recovered. She also noted that due to overcrowding, patients are still being accommodated in corridors and outside wards.
She further reported that since the outbreak began, 32 suspected and 2 confirmed measles deaths have been recorded at the facility, with patients coming from both Dhaka and outside districts.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 1,170 suspected cases were reported nationwide in the last 24 hours. From March 15 to April 20, the total number of suspected cases reached 24,776. During the same period, 174 confirmed cases were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases to 3,617.
So far, 16,172 patients with measles-like symptoms have been admitted to hospitals, while 13,258 have recovered and been discharged. The total number of deaths linked to measles stands at 37 confirmed cases and 183 suspected cases since the start of the outbreak.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said during the launch in Narayanganj that gaps in previous immunisation coverage contributed to the current outbreak. He added that the government, under the Prime Minister’s guidance, has prioritised strengthening vaccination efforts with support from international partners.
State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit, speaking in Sirajganj, said that disruptions in vaccination programs in earlier years led to increased vulnerability. He added that the current administration has taken emergency steps soon after the outbreak emerged to strengthen response measures.
EPI officials said that under the routine immunisation program, children receive MR-1 at nine months and MR-2 at 15 months. However, a portion of children still remain unvaccinated each year, which this campaign aims to cover. They also advised that children with fever or illness should be vaccinated only after full recovery and medical consultation.
