Bangladesh Measles Outbreak Kills More Than 1,000 Children as Cases Continue to Rise
More than 1,000 children have died in Bangladesh’s worst measles outbreak in decades, with health authorities reporting thousands of new suspected cases despite an emergency vaccination campaign.
More than 19.8 million children have already received measles vaccinations, but around 1,000 new suspected cases are still being reported each day. UNICEF said Bangladesh will intensify its vaccination campaign on September 26 to reach children who remain unvaccinated.
Government figures show more than 194,000 suspected measles cases have been recorded since the outbreak intensified in March. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Bangladesh has recorded more measles cases this year than any other country.
About 83% of confirmed cases are among unvaccinated children, while infants under six months account for around 10%. Babies in this age group are especially vulnerable because they are too young to receive routine measles vaccination.
UNICEF has linked the outbreak to several factors, including overcrowding, child malnutrition and disruptions to routine immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation has also raised concerns about delays in vaccine procurement, although a former health ministry official denied that Bangladesh experienced vaccine shortages.
Hospitals have been placed under severe pressure, with reports of families sharing limited space and some facilities operating at more than twice their capacity.
The WHO said the emergency vaccination campaign reached many children but acknowledged that some target children were missed. Public health experts have called for wider community outreach and door-to-door efforts to ensure unvaccinated children are reached.
The outbreak highlights the continuing risks children face when routine immunisation coverage falls below the level needed to prevent sustained measles transmission.
