Bangladesh Measles Outbreak: Emergency Vaccination Drive Launched After Deaths

Top Summary

• What happened: A suspected measles outbreak in Bangladesh has led to the deaths of at least 98 children in the last three weeks.
• Why it matters: Measles is a highly infectious disease with potentially severe complications, and this outbreak signals a decline in vaccination coverage.
• What changes: An emergency vaccination drive is underway in 18 high-risk districts, expanding nationwide from May 3rd.
• Who is affected: Primarily children aged six months to five years, especially those unvaccinated, across Bangladesh.

Measles Outbreak Sweeps Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi government is responding to a suspected measles outbreak that has tragically claimed the lives of at least 98 children in the past three weeks, according to AFP reports.

The government has initiated an emergency vaccination campaign in 18 high-risk districts to curb the spread. This campaign will expand to encompass the entire country starting May 3rd.

Alarming Rise in Cases

Data from Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals a concerning surge in suspected measles cases. The number of children aged six months to five years exhibiting suspected symptoms has reached 6,476 in 2026.

Of these, 826 cases have been confirmed as measles. Tragically, 16 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.

 

"Compared with past years, the number of affected children is higher and the death toll is higher too,"

said Halimur Rashid, director at the Communicable Disease Control department.

 

Regional Disparities

The Dhaka division reports the highest number of suspected cases at 2,394. Rajshahi follows with 1,243 cases, and Chattogram with 717, according to The Daily Star.

The Rangpur division reports the lowest number of suspected cases at 119.

Vaccination Gaps Fuel Outbreak

The World Health Organization reports measles cases in at least 56 of Bangladesh's 64 districts as of March 28th, according to The Daily Star.

Health officials and experts attribute the surge in cases to immunisation gaps, noting that most deaths occur among unvaccinated children.

Emergency Response and Past Disruptions

The current emergency vaccination drive prioritizes children who missed routine immunisations and are most vulnerable. Vaccination coverage under Bangladesh's regular immunisation program has declined in the past two years, as reported by The Daily Star.

Special campaigns are typically conducted every four years to reach those who missed vaccines. The last such campaign occurred in 2020.

The planned special campaign in 2024 was postponed due to political unrest. According to Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, widespread protests in August 2024 led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Routine vaccinations were also disrupted at least three times last year due to strikes by health assistants in rural areas.

What to Watch Next

The effectiveness of the emergency vaccination campaign will be closely monitored in the coming weeks. Public health officials will be focusing on ensuring widespread coverage and addressing the underlying causes of vaccination gaps to prevent future outbreaks.