Nine more children die as measles death toll hits 424

Nearly 1,000 children have been hospitalised with measles and related symptoms in the last 24 hours

File photo

Nine more children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms across the country in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the deceased, three were confirmed cases of measles, while the remaining six exhibited symptoms of the disease, the health regulator said in its regular measles bulletin on Tuesday.

During the same period, 87 new cases of measles were confirmed by laboratory tests.

The DGHS reports that since Mar 15, a total of 68 people have died from confirmed measles cases. Additionally, 356 others have died with suspected symptoms of the viral infection.

Dhaka has been hit hardest by the outbreak, recording the highest death toll of 142 fatalities.

Rajshahi Division reported 78 deaths.

In the last 24 hours, 1,105 patients arrived at hospitals with measles symptoms, of which 939 required admission.

The total number of suspected measles cases reported since Mar 15 has reached 51,567. Among them, 7,024 cases have been officially confirmed through testing.