Two more children with measles symptoms die in Mymensingh, Cumilla

The latest deaths include two 9-month-old children

Two more children with measles symptoms have died in Mymensingh and Cumilla, as hospitals continue to grapple with rising pressure from infected patients.

A 9-month-old child died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital around noon on Saturday, taking the number of deaths at the facility to 23, according to Dr Mohammad Mainuddin Khan, the hospital’s assistant director for administration.

The child, from Phulpur Upazila in Mymensingh, had been admitted to the hospital on Apr 28 with measles symptoms, the hospital said in a statement covering the 24 hours from 9am on Saturday to 9am on Sunday.

Since Mar 17, a total of 1,046 children have been admitted to hospitals with measles symptoms. Of them, 941 have been discharged and 23 have died.

In the latest 24-hour period, 30 children were admitted and 30 others were discharged after recovery. The hospital said 82 children are currently receiving treatment in its isolation ward.

Meanwhile, another 9-month-old child died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital on Saturday night after contracting measles.

The child, Arsh, son of Abul Kalam of Tarapur village in Cumilla’s Sadar South Upazila, died in the measles isolation room, said Dr Mia Monjur Ahmed, head of the hospital’s paediatrics department.

“Arsh had pneumonia. His relatives brought him to the hospital late, and the infection had become severe. He died after his physical complications worsened,” Monjur said.

Six children have so far died with measles symptoms in Cumilla.