Five more die of measles, symptoms in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has recorded five more deaths from measles and its symptoms, pushing the toll since Mar 15 to 885.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its bulletin on Wednesday that one person with confirmed measles and four with symptoms of the disease died in the 24 hours to 8am Tuesday.

The same period saw 84 new confirmed measles cases.

Since Mar 15, a total of 99 people have died from the viral disease, while 786 others have died with its symptoms.

Dhaka Division has borne the heaviest toll, with 343 symptomatic deaths, followed by Sylhet with 127.

Rajshahi Division logged 91, Mymensingh 72, Chattogram 61, Barishal 47, Khulna 32 and Rangpur 13.

The health directorate said 941 people with measles symptoms turned up at hospitals nationwide in the past 24 hours, of whom 879 were admitted. 

Dhaka Division accounted for 340 of the admissions, Chattogram 228, Sylhet 89, Barishal 80, Mymensingh 56, Khulna 54, Rajshahi 26 and Rangpur six.

The number of measles patients admitted to hospitals nationwide has reached 121,013. 

Of them, 116,827 have recovered and left hospitals.

The DGHS put the current number of suspected measles cases at 139,125, while confirmed infections stand at 17,469.