DHAKA, May 7 : Bangladesh’s measles epidemic continues to wreak havoc across the country as 12 more children have died in the past 24 hrs due to either measles, or its linked symptoms. Of these, one child was diagnosed with measles, while 11 children had measles-like symptoms.
During this time, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported that 1,238 more children across the country have developed measles symptoms, reports Prothom Alo.
Of these, 286 cases were laboratory-confirmed measles.
Earlier, on May 4, at least 17 children died in 24 hours due to measles and measles symptoms, taking the total count to 279, since March 15.
Reportedly, a child diagnosed with measles has died in Dhaka, while another succumbed to disease-linked symptoms in Barisal, five in Dhaka, with one in Khulna, one in Mymensingh, two in Rajshahi, and one fatality in Sylhet.
Additionally, at least 57 children have died from confirmed measles infections in Bangladesh this year.
According to the Department of Health, 45,498 children have shown symptoms of measles since March 15 this year. During this time, 31,912 children were admitted to the hospital with measles symptoms, with 28,238 of these patients having already been discharged after receiving treatment.
Back in April, the WHO had identified the country’s measles outbreak as a “high” national risk, and warned of continued transmission unless urgent measures are taken to close immunity gaps, as vaccination remains at a low and a burdened health system struggles to keep pace with the rising infections.
(UNI)
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