Deaths climb to 38 as three more children with measles symptoms die in Rajshahi

RCC administrator claims measles outbreak in Rajshahi is “less severe” compared with the rest of the country

Amid a growing outbreak, three more children with measles symptoms have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, bringing the death toll to 38.

The children, aged between five and seven years, died in the last 24 hours until 12pm on Saturday, said RMCH spokesperson Shankar Kumar Biswas.

Over the period, 25 new patients were admitted and three others were discharged home after treatment.

As of 12pm, 149 children were receiving treatment at the hospital.

So far, a total of 377 people have been admitted to the hospital with measles symptoms and 38 of them have died, said Shankar.

In the afternoon, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton and Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam inspected the Paediatric Department and ICU of the RMCH.

They inquired about the treatment of children suffering from measles symptoms.

Riton said, "I hope the number of ICU beds will be increased at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and Rajshahi Paediatric Hospital.”

The city corporation will provide overall support to the hospital authorities in all aspects, including the treatment of measles, he said.

Despite the growing number of deaths and suspected cases in Rajshahi Division, Riton said: “The measles outbreak in Rajshahi is less severe compared with the rest of the country.

“This has been possible because we are aware and vigilant. Hopefully, with everyone's collective efforts, we will be able to keep it under control."

According to Riton, a measles vaccination campaign is under way by the city corporation under the EPI program.

“It will continue. Overall support is being provided in the wards where the measles cases are increasing."

The RCC administrator said: “Regular vaccination activities are under way in 30 wards of the city corporation. Currently, there are 8,000 measles vaccines in stock.”

Having claimed that, he said: “Vaccines will be administered at 64 locations from Sunday.”

He said leaflets are being distributed to create public awareness about measles prevention.

Bangladesh is set to roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign on Sunday to contain the outbreak, with children aged between 6 months and 5 years targeted in 30 “high-risk” Upazilas and municipalities for the opening day.

On Mar 29, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said no one in Bangladesh had been vaccinated against the highly contagious disease in the last eight years.