Bangladesh reports eight more suspected measles deaths as toll crosses 900

Bangladesh’s measles-related death toll has crossed 900 after eight more people died with the infection or its symptoms in the last 24 hours.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said on Saturday that 70 new cases were confirmed during the 24 hours from 8am on Friday, while 728 people developed measles symptoms.

Since the health began publishing measles data on Mar 15, 99 people have died after confirmed infection and another 803 with symptoms.

Of the latest deaths, six were in Dhaka Division and two in Sylhet Division. Five deaths were recorded in Dhaka district alone.

Dhaka Division has reported the highest number of symptom-related deaths at 352, followed by Sylhet with 132.

Another 700 people were admitted to hospitals with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours, bringing total hospital admissions nationwide to 123,494. 

Of them, 119,089 have since been discharged after recovery.

Bangladesh has recorded 141,776 suspected measles cases and 17,800 confirmed infections.