Measles epidemic in Bangladesh: more than a thousand children died
Despite the fact that more than 19.8 million children in the country have been vaccinated, the spread of the disease continues.
More than a thousand children have reportedly died as a result of the measles epidemic that has been ongoing in Bangladesh since March. Although an emergency vaccination campaign is being carried out in the country, cases of infection are rising again, reports BBC.
According to the government's latest data, more than 194,000 cases linked to measles have been recorded since March. On Tuesday, eight more people suspected of having measles died.
In the country, more than 19.8 million children have received the vaccine as part of the emergency vaccination campaign. According to UNICEF, from September 26, an intensified phase of the campaign will begin to identify unvaccinated children and reach them.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2026 Bangladesh recorded more cases linked to measles than any other country in the world.
The organization's data notes that nearly 83 percent of confirmed measles cases are accounted for by unvaccinated children. Meanwhile, 10 percent of cases were identified in infants younger than 6 months. Children of this age are considered a group at high risk of severe illness during an epidemic.
According to WHO, the epidemic was widespread across the country before the vaccination campaign began. Therefore, time is required to fully stop the chains of transmission that have arisen. The organization has also acknowledged that some targeted children were not covered by vaccination activities.
UNICEF cited several factors for the initial intensification of the epidemic, including population density and delays in routine vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN agency also stated that Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus delayed an order for vaccines last year, and as a result, disruptions in vaccine supply occurred. However, a former official who served in a senior position in the health sector in Muhammad Yunus's government denied that there was a vaccine shortage.
According to public health expert Dr. Mushtuq Husain, the initial emergency vaccination campaign was not sufficiently broad in coverage. He emphasized that the campaign should cover more regions and age groups, and that medical workers should go door to door and carry out explanatory work for the population about the danger of the disease.
The epidemic has also placed great pressure on the country's hospitals. In some hospitals BBC visited in June, it was recorded that dozens of families were lying on blankets spread on the floor. One hospital was operating at twice its usual capacity.
Compared with the data from June, another 300 children have died since then.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily through breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Malnutrition can increase the risk of severe complications and death from the disease.
Bangladesh is not the only country where a measles epidemic is being observed. The United Kingdom previously held the status of a country that had eliminated measles, but this year it lost that status. In the United States as well, cases of measles infection have increased in recent years.
WHO emphasizes that at least 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles and ensure herd immunity.
