A month-long measles vaccination campaign will begin in Khulna city from April 20, aimed at protecting the city from a potential outbreak, health officials said.
Children aged between six months and 59 months will be brought under the vaccination drive, which will continue until May 20.
Although the measles outbreak began in the southwestern region on March 15, no infected patient has yet been identified in Khulna city.
However, neighbouring districts like Kushtia and Jessore are currently topping the suspected measles list.
According to sources at the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) health department, adequate vaccines have already been stocked at the Civil Surgeon's Office to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
A press conference will be held at the city health building at 2 pm on Sunday to brief city residents on the overall situation and the vaccination campaign. KCC Administrator Md Nazrul Islam Manju will address the press conference.
Citizens' leaders and representatives from various professions have already been invited to attend the event.
Chief Health Officer of the KCC, Dr Sharif Shammiul Islam, said vaccination will be carried out in all 31 wards of the city. The programme will run daily from 8 am to 3 pm, except Fridays and Saturdays.
KCC staff, government hospital nurses, and volunteers from different organisations will assist in administering the vaccines.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Khulna Divisional Health Office Dr Mujibur Rahman said a target had been set to vaccinate 91,000 children in Jessore Municipal area during a 20-day campaign under the directive of the Prime Minister.
Sources said that since March 15, a total of 1,683 suspected measles patients have been admitted to different government and private healthcare facilities across 10 districts under the division.
Of them, 1,333 have already been discharged, while 10 deaths have been reported. Measles infection has been confirmed in 68 cases. The rest of the patients received medical care from different clinics.
