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Published : 24 Apr 2026, 10:09 AM
Chattogram has logged its highest weekly hospital admission rate following a surge in measles and pneumonia cases across the region.
Besides the surge in patients, 26 children died from pneumonia this month, with seasonal fever also affecting the younger population.
The number of confirmed measles cases in the district reached 57.
As the number of children arriving with measles symptoms continued to climb, Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) moved its “measles corner” to the Ward-1 medicine unit on Thursday.
The health department, however, said those infected through initial contact are now arriving at hospitals for treatment.
They believe the number of cases will gradually fall as the vaccination drive continues.
Health officials are prioritising vaccination to curb the spread.
To protect children from pneumonia, the health department advised parents to avoid direct sunlight, prevent children from consuming cold items, and consult a doctor immediately if a child develops fever or a cold.
Rising Hospital Admissions
Between the final week of March and Thursday, 533 children were admitted to Chattogram hospitals with measles symptoms within a 33-day period.
This includes 170 children admitted between Sunday and Thursday alone.
In the seven days between Apr 12 and Apr 18, 127 children arrived for treatment.
CMCH Director Md Taslim Uddin told bdnews24.com on Thursday afternoon that 88 patients are currently admitted with measles and related symptoms.
He noted that 13 children require intensive care unit (ICU) support due to breathing difficulties.
The director explained that the original measles corner was too small for the rising numbers, leading to the relocation of patients to the 50-bed former dengue ward.
Initially, the corner had only 16 beds across two blocks of the paediatric department.
By Thursday afternoon, children with measles symptoms were seen at the Acute Medicine Unit (AMU) on the ground floor.
Relatives of 1-year-old Anas, who arrived from Chawkbazar three days ago, said they initially stayed in a cramped corner where three to four patients shared a single bed in extreme heat.
While the new location is larger, most beds are still occupied by two patients each.
Another child, two-year-old Mumtaha, was seen resting on her mother's shoulder after being admitted from Sitakunda on Wednesday night.
Around 300 symptomatic patients have been treated at CMCH since the outbreak began, with 38 testing positive for measles.
The director noted that most patients arrived from Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria, Moheshkhali, Kutubdia, and Satkania.
When asked about the rise in measles and symptoms, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Jahangir Alam said: “Patients are being admitted with symptoms like fever, cold, cough and breathing difficulties.
“These are also symptoms of measles, so it appears that cases are increasing.”
“Children who were exposed to those initially infected are now being admitted to hospitals. As vaccination has started, the infection will gradually decrease,” he added.
According to the District Civil Surgeon’s Office, more than 136,000 vaccines have been administered under the measles-rubella vaccination campaign across 15 Upazilas since Monday, against a target of nearly 700,000.
In the city’s 41 wards, around 300,000 children are targeted, and 60,000 vaccines have been given in the first four days of the campaign.
“We have no shortage of vaccines or syringes. The campaign will continue until the 10th of May,” Dr Jahangir said.
Pneumonia Impact
The measles virus weakens the immune system in children, making the lungs more vulnerable to pneumonia.
Doctors noted that rising summer temperatures also increase the risk of infection, with current cases being driven by both measles and seasonal changes.
Mohammad Musa Miah, head of paediatrics at CMCH, said: “It is the pneumonia season. Our department admits an average of 350–400 children daily with different illnesses.
“Around 100 are discharged daily. Another 100 to 150 are admitted.”
Around 100 current patients are suffering from pneumonia or breathing issues, he added.
He confirmed that 26 children died from pneumonia this month, some of whom had measles symptoms, though he noted that the facility typically records one or two pneumonia deaths daily throughout the year.
Hospital director said while pneumonia admissions occur year-round, the current heatwave and seasonal fever have driven up the numbers.
Trisha Mandal, a resident of Kotwali, shared that her second-grade daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia after suffering from a cough for 20 days.
She opted for home treatment due to the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Dr Jahangir said, “Pneumonia increases when temperature rises. It is very hot now. Exposure to strong sunlight, sweating in heat, and drinking cold food or drinks to cool down are causing fever and pneumonia.”
He advised children not to go out in strong sunlight, not to let sweat dry on their body after coming from outside, avoid cold food to cool down, and not to enter excessively cold air-conditioned environments immediately after heat exposure.
