4-month-old with measles symptoms dies in Faridpur

17 children have died with measles or related symptoms in the district so far

An infant with measles symptoms has died while undergoing treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, taking the death toll from confirmed and suspected measles cases in the district to 17.

Rafsana, four months old, hailed from the Alipur area of Faridpur Sadar Upazila, according to Faridpur Civil Surgeon Dr Mahmudul Hasan.

In the 24 hours from Friday morning to Saturday morning, 45 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals in the district, according to the Civil Surgeon’s Office. Another 93 patients were discharged following their recovery. Currently, 138 patients are receiving treatment for relevant symptoms at these hospitals.

On Friday, the day after Eid, two children with measles symptoms had died at Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Service has stepped up public awareness drives to reduce the spread of measles. The district’s health division has urged parents to ensure regular vaccination of children and to contact the nearest health centre immediately if their children develop symptoms of measles.

Civil Surgeon Mahmudul said, “Measles is a preventable disease. The vaccination of children on time reduces the risk of this disease to a very significant extent. We are making every effort to treat affected people and control the spread.”