Another child death from suspected measles amid patient influx at RMCH

There is no scope to conduct the measles test fast in Rajshahi, a doctor says

Another child displaying symptoms of measles has died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) as the number of similar patients rises there.

The death was reported in the last 24 hours until 12pm on Thursday, when 132 patients were receiving treatment, said RMCH spokesperson Shankar Kumar Biswas.

Over the period, 20 new patients were admitted and four others were discharged after their recovery, he added.

According to Shankar, the number of patients since the beginning of March has reached 340.

He said since it takes time to get the results of a confirmed case, all patients are currently considered “suspected”.

There is no scope to conduct the tests fast in Rajshahi, Shankar said, however, confirming only one death from the highly contagious airborne disease.

Describing Chapainawabganj as worst-affected across in Rajshahi Division amid the outbreak, he said a significant number of patients are also coming to the hospital from Naogaon, Natore and Pabna.

Isolation facilities will be increased at the RMCH if the patient inflow intensifies further, he told journalists.

To cope with the pressure, six more beds have been added to the pediatric ICU, raising the number of beds to 18.

“Of these, 12 ICU beds are currently being used for children with measles,” Shankar said.

Two children have already been referred to the ICU of the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute in Dhaka, he concluded.