10 more die of suspected measles; toll since March 15 reaches 128

Ten more people died of suspected measles in 24 hours till 8:00am today, taking the total number of suspected measles deaths to 128 since March 15 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Among the 10 new deaths, eight were reported from Dhaka division, while one each from Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions, the DGHS said.

Besides, 1,236 new suspected cases were recorded during this period, raising the total number of suspected measles cases to 9,883 since March 15.

The DGHS, however, said it has confirmed a total of 21 deaths as measles-related, along with 1,398 confirmed cases so far.

Samples from suspected measles patients are tested at reference laboratories in Dhaka, a process that takes considerable time. Meanwhile, suspected cases are included in the list, and confirmed cases are updated later, creating a discrepancy between the two figures.

Besides, rash and fever, the main symptoms of measles, are common to several other diseases, officials said. Therefore, not all suspected cases are ultimately confirmed, which contributes to the difference between suspected and confirmed deaths, they added.