Bangladesh reports five more suspected measles deaths, 172 new confirmed infections

The health authority says 920 people with suspected symptoms sought treatment at hospitals during the past 24 hours

Bangladesh has recorded five more deaths among people with suspected measles symptoms over the past 24 hours, while health authorities confirmed 172 new measles infections.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) published the latest figures in its daily bulletin on Wednesday, covering the period from 8am on Tuesday to same on Wednesday.

The DGHS has been releasing regular measles updates since Mar 15.

According to the latest data, the number of confirmed measles deaths remains at 95 nationwide, while deaths among people with suspected symptoms have risen to 676.

Dhaka Division continues to record the highest number of suspected measles deaths, with the total climbing to 295.

Sylhet Division has reported 93 suspected deaths, followed by Rajshahi with 89, Mymensingh with 64, Chattogram with 54, Barishal with 43, Khulna with 29 and Rangpur with nine.

The DGHS also said 920 people with suspected measles symptoms sought treatment at hospitals across the country during the past 24 hours.

Of them, 851 patients were admitted.

Division-wise admissions included 333 in Dhaka, 196 in Chattogram, 114 in Barishal, 69 in Sylhet, 54 in Khulna, 46 in Mymensingh, 27 in Rajshahi and 12 in Rangpur.

The cumulative number of measles-related hospital admissions this year has now reached 96,878.

Of those admitted, 93,260 patients have been discharged after treatment, according to the DGHS.

The health authority said the cumulative number of suspected measles cases has increased to 114,164, while laboratory-confirmed infections have reached 13,907.

The DGHS continues to monitor the outbreak as hospitals across the country receive hundreds of suspected measles patients each day.