Five more die with measles-like symptoms

Five patients died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am yesterday, bringing Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 729.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 636, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 93.

A total of 968 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 103,961.

Meanwhile, 139 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 12,425.

Since March 15, a total of 87,262 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 83,543 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Public health expert Mushtuq Husain said measles cases were not declining for two main reasons: vaccination coverage may not have reached 95 percent in all areas, and infection prevention and control measures were not being properly followed in hospitals and communities.

He added that isolation and quarantine -- key measures in any epidemic -- had largely been ignored, despite being essential components of outbreak management.

He stressed the need for a vaccination campaign targeting all children under five and a revised house-to-house microplanning approach to reduce infection rates.