Concern is mounting over the worsening measles situation in Sylhet, where health officials say the outbreak has shown little sign of improvement over the past five months.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Sylhet Division has recorded the country's second-highest number of measles-related deaths after Dhaka. With the deaths of two more children in the last 24 hours, the death toll in the division has risen to 105.
During the same period, 368 measles-related deaths have been reported in Dhaka Division.
Health experts say children in remote areas of Sylhet are the most affected, with low vaccination coverage and malnutrition contributing to the high fatality rate.
Professor Dr Akhlaq Ahmed, head of the Department of Paediatrics at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, said unvaccinated children and poor nutrition remain the main causes behind the high number of deaths.
He urged parents to ensure routine immunisation and advised exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by nutritious family meals to strengthen children's immunity.
"The EPI vaccination coverage is still low in many parts of Sylhet. Most severe cases involve children who were either not vaccinated or did not complete their vaccination schedule," he said.
Dr Nur Alam Shamim, assistant director (Disease Control) at the Sylhet Health Department, said children living in remote areas were more vulnerable to infection and death, with Sunamganj recording the highest number of fatalities in the division.
He said health workers are conducting door-to-door vaccination campaigns following instructions from the health ministry.
"There has been no shortage of efforts from the health department," he added.
Dr Mizanur Rahman, resident medical officer of Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, said Sylhet has the second-highest number of measles patients after Dhaka.
He said 13 children are currently undergoing treatment at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, while 20 patients are admitted to the ICU at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
"We are providing treatment despite resource constraints," he said.
Two more children die
Two children died with measles symptoms in the last 24 hours.
The deceased were seven-month-old Nusiba from Nabiganj, Habiganj, who died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, and 26-month-old Rafsa from Kanaighat, Sylhet, who died at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital.
According to the health department, Sunamganj has recorded the highest number of measles-related deaths in the division, with 47 fatalities. The remaining deaths include 36 in Sylhet, 12 in Moulvibazar, and 10 in Habiganj.
Currently, 273 patients with measles symptoms are receiving treatment at hospitals across Sylhet Division.
Since January 1, 545 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been recorded in the division, while 51 new patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours.
