A nationwide measles outbreak continues to spread across Bangladesh, alongside a gradual rise in dengue cases, placing mounting pressure on the country’s healthcare system. Hospitals are reporting increasing admissions, overcrowding, and growing concern among parents and health professionals as both infections circulate simultaneously.
So far, 269 children have died due to measles and measles-like symptoms, while 22,442 patients have been hospitalised. Health officials warn that the situation remains unstable, with new cases and complications being reported daily from different parts of the country.
The situation has become more alarming due to the similarity in early symptoms of measles and dengue, such as fever, cough, and general weakness. Doctors say this overlap is causing confusion among guardians, leading to delays in proper diagnosis and timely treatment.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), five children died within a 24-hour period from Sunday 8:00am to Monday 8:00am due to measles infection and related complications. Among them, one death was confirmed as measles, while four were recorded as symptom-related. The deceased children were from Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions, with one reported from each division.
During the same period, 25 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. No dengue-related deaths were reported in that timeframe.
At the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area, a seven-month-old child Israt Jahan from Faridpur, has been undergoing treatment for the past week. According to her mother, the illness began with fever, cough, and cold symptoms. Initially, she was treated with medication from a local pharmacy, but her condition did not improve.
She was later admitted to a 500-bed hospital in Faridpur, where doctors diagnosed measles. After around 10 days of treatment, she showed partial recovery and returned home. However, five days later, she developed fever, diarrhoea, and a widespread skin rash. She was readmitted to the Faridpur hospital and subsequently referred to the Shishu Hospital in Dhaka for advanced care.
She is currently undergoing treatment for complications related to measles, including skin rash, mouth ulcers, pneumonia, respiratory distress, and persistent fever. Physicians said that her condition remains unstable, and she is under close medical observation.
Hospital authorities reported that 18 children with measles symptoms were admitted within the past 24 hours, during which one death was recorded. At present, 84 children are receiving treatment at the facility.
So far this year, the hospital has treated 421 measles patients. Medical records indicate that 15 deaths have been linked to complications arising from the infection.
Doctors said the hospital is facing significant pressure, with more than 75 children being admitted daily despite a capacity of only 60 beds. All 14 intensive care unit (ICU) beds are currently occupied, highlighting severe strain on critical care services.
Dr Asif Haider, administrative officer at a Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)-designated hospital in Mohakhali, said measles is six to eight times more contagious than COVID-19. He warned that children are the most vulnerable group and noted that infants may lack passive immunity if their mothers are not immune to the disease.
According to DGHS data, since March 15, a total of 44 confirmed deaths have been attributed to measles, while 220 deaths have been classified as symptom-related. During the same period, 4,693 infections have been recorded, and 22,442 individuals have reported symptoms. So far, 19,018 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
Meanwhile, the High Court has directed authorities to ensure immediate vaccination for children affected by measles. It also ordered the committee formed to investigate shortcomings in the national vaccination programme to submit a progress report within two weeks. The directive was issued on Monday by a bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.
Dengue cases in Bangladesh are continuing to rise gradually, with new infections reported across multiple regions in the past 24 hours. According to health authorities, new patients were admitted from Barisal (7), Chittagong (5), Dhaka Division outside city corporations (3), Dhaka South City Corporation (3), Dhaka North City Corporation (1), Khulna (5), and Mymensingh (1). During the same period, 16 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals.
This year, 2,438 dengue patients have been hospitalised so far, while four deaths have been reported—two in Dhaka, and one each in Chattogram and Rajshahi.
So far this year, a total of 2,438 dengue patients have been hospitalised, while four deaths have been recorded—two in Dhaka and one each in Chittagong and Rajshahi.
Public health experts have warned that Bangladesh could face a more severe dengue outbreak in the coming months if mosquito breeding sites are not effectively controlled. They note that preventive measures remain inadequate despite repeated warnings.
Entomologist Prof Dr Kabirul Bashar of Jahangirnagar University said stagnant rainwater in containers, buckets, and discarded materials creates ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes. He emphasised the urgent need to eliminate standing water and strengthen waste management, particularly in urban and flood-prone areas.
He cautioned that without immediate and coordinated action, the risk of dengue transmission will continue to increase, especially during the rainy season when mosquito breeding intensifies.
Data from DGHS shows that Bangladesh has recorded more than 100,000 dengue cases annually over the past three years, placing significant strain on the healthcare system. The country experienced its worst outbreak in 2023, with 321,197 infections and 1,705 deaths. In 2024, there were 101,214 infections and 575 deaths, while the previous year recorded 102,861 infections and 413 deaths.
In 2026 so far, dengue-related hospitalisations have included 1,081 patients in January, 409 in February, 353 in March, and 585 as of April 27.
