Doctors treat children infected with measles inside a crowded paediatric ward in Dhaka as Bangladesh battles its worst outbreak in decades.
Bangladesh is battling its deadliest measles outbreak in decades as hospitals struggle to manage a sharp rise in infections among children.
The outbreak has already killed more than 300 children and infected over 50,000 people since mid-March, according to government data.
Health officials say gaps in vaccination coverage during and after the political unrest that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 exposed millions of children to the virus.
Children Suffering
Doctors across the country are treating thousands of children suffering from severe measles complications.
Many children admitted to hospitals experience breathing difficulties, weakness, and high fever. In severe cases, the infection reaches the brain and causes swelling that can lead to permanent damage or death.
At Dhaka’s Shishu Hospital, families crowded the measles ward as doctors worked to stabilise critically ill children.
Rina Begum, 45, said her three-year-old granddaughter Afia narrowly survived after doctors placed her on oxygen support. “I was almost sure I was going to lose her,” Begum said after the child’s condition improved.
Health officials confirmed that Afia missed her second measles vaccine dose at 18 months.
Vaccination Gaps Fuel Measles Outbreak
Health authorities linked the outbreak to disruptions in vaccination campaigns during the 2024 political crisis.
Bangladesh had previously improved childhood vaccination rates and reduced infectious disease outbreaks.
However, officials delayed a nationwide measles campaign during the unrest, leaving many children unprotected.
Government data showed that vaccine coverage dropped to 59 percent last year, far below the 95 percent needed to achieve herd immunity.
Senior health official Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan warned that low herd immunity allows the virus to spread even among vaccinated children.
Government Interventions
The government, supported by the World Health Organization and the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF, launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on April 5.
Authorities said they have vaccinated nearly 17 million children since the campaign began.
Officials hope the vaccination drive will reduce infections within the coming weeks. Meanwhile, hospitals continue to admit new patients daily.
Bangladesh Prepares for More Health Emergencies
The Bangladesh military has already set up a 20-bed field hospital at Dhaka Medical College Hospital to prepare for more measles cases.
Hospital director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman said authorities want to prevent overcrowding if infections continue to rise.
Officials also fear that the coming dengue season could place additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system after recent heavy rainfall increased mosquito activity. “We hope the measles infection rate will decrease soon,” Asaduzzaman said.
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