Bangladesh records nine more child deaths with measles symptoms in a day

The number of people who have died with symptoms of the viral disease rises to 605 nationwide

Bangladesh has reported deaths of nine more children with symptoms of measles over the past 24 hours.

On Thursday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said the latest deaths pushed the nationwide toll with symptoms of the viral disease to 605.

Separately, 93 people who had tested positive for measles have also died since Mar 15.

In its regular bulletin, the health directorate said 52 new measles cases were confirmed during the 24 hours to 8am on Wednesday.

Since Mar 15, Dhaka Division has recorded the highest number of deaths with measles symptoms at 262, according to DGHS data.

The other deaths were reported in:

• Rajshahi Division: 88

• Sylhet Division: 76

• Chattogram Division: 50

• Barishal Division: 39

• Mymensingh Division: 55

• Khulna Division: 27

• Rangpur Division: 8

The health directorate said 893 people with measles symptoms sought treatment at hospitals across the country in the last 24 hours, of whom 860 were admitted.

Admissions included 324 in Dhaka Division, 45 in Rajshahi, 55 in Sylhet, 211 in Chattogram, 121 in Barishal, 52 in Mymensingh, 38 in Khulna and 15 in Rangpur.

Since Mar 15, a total of 80,497 patients with measles symptoms have been admitted to hospitals nationwide.

Of them, 76,788 have been discharged after receiving treatment.

According to the DGHS, 96,653 people have shown measles symptoms so far, while 11,442 cases have been laboratory confirmed.