Child dies as Rajshahi sees rising measles toll with dozens waiting for ICU care

117 children are receiving treatment for measles and related symptoms, with dozens in critical condition

A child has died of measles at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, marking the fourth measles-related death at the facility.

Hospital spokesperson Shankar Kumar Biswas confirmed the death on Wednesday noon.

He said that by 12pm, 22 children had been admitted with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours, while 14 had recovered and returned home.

As many as 117 children are undergoing treatment for measles and related symptoms, including 12 in the ICU.

Another 56 children are waiting for ICU admission.

Shankar said the most recent death occurred overnight Tuesday; the child was from Pabna’s Pangsha Upazila.

The hospital has 28 ICU beds for adult patients.

He added most patients are from Chapainawabganj, with significant numbers also from Rajshahi, Pabna, and Naogaon, and some from Kushtia and Rajbari districts.

Most affected children are under two years of age, many six months or younger.

To manage the crisis, a special medical team of doctors, nurses, and health workers is working around the clock.

A 40-bed measles isolation ward has been opened, while separate isolation corners have been created in the paediatric ward for suspected cases.

Shankar said plans exist to convert an entire paediatric ward into a measles ICU if patient numbers rise.

Meanwhile, efforts are under way to transfer ICU patients to Rajshahi Heart Foundation Hospital and to add seven more ICU beds for measles cases.