Measles: Bangladesh death toll hits 415 with 6 new deaths, suspected cases soar past 50,000

In the last 24 hours, 1,341 people sought hospital care with symptoms, leading to 1,071 new admissions

Six more children with measles symptoms have died across the country in the last 24 hours, as the number of suspected cases since mid-March surpassed the 50,000 mark.

According to the daily measles bulletin released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday, three of the latest deaths were reported in Dhaka.

With these new fatalities, the official death toll of confirmed measles cases has reached 65 since Mar 15.

The number of deaths, however, among patients with suspected measles symptoms is significantly higher, standing at 350.

Dhaka remains the worst-hit region, recording 141 deaths with measles symptoms so far. Rajshahi Division follows with 78 deaths.

In the last 24 hours, 118 new cases were confirmed by laboratory testing. During the same period, 1,341 people sought hospital care with measles symptoms, leading to 1,071 new admissions.

The scale of the outbreak has escalated rapidly over the past two months.

Since Mar 15, the total number of suspected measles patients has reached 50,500. Of these, 6,937 cases have been officially confirmed through testing.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation as hospitals in major cities struggle to manage the influx of paediatric patients showing classic symptoms of the viral infection, such as high fever and distinctive skin rashes.

The DGHS has urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.