Bangladesh reports 127 new measles cases in 24 hours, five more child deaths

Since Mar 15, 37 people have died from measles in the country, and 174 people have died with symptoms of measles

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported five more deaths related to measles, as the viral outbreak continues to spread across several divisions in the country.

Of the latest fatalities, three were confirmed measles cases, while two others exhibited symptoms of the virus.

This brings the total death toll since Mar 15 to 37 confirmed measles deaths and 174 deaths with symptoms.

According to the DGHS bulletin released Friday, 1,115 people sought medical attention for measles symptoms in the 24 hours leading up to Thursday morning.

Laboratory tests confirmed the virus in 127 of those cases.

Since the onset of the outbreak on Mar 15, a total of 21,467 symptomatic cases have been reported.

There have been 3,192 confirmed cases.

Additionally, 13,898 people were admitted to the hospital, of whom 11,243 have been discharged after recovery.

The capital remains the hardest-hit area.

In the last 24 hours, the Dhaka division recorded the highest number of 357 symptomatic hospitalisations and 120 confirmed cases.

The Chattogram division followed with 133 symptomatic admissions.

Of the three symptomatic deaths reported in the last day, two occurred in the Barishal Division (both in Barguna district) and one in Dhaka.

Since mid-March, the Dhaka division has recorded the highest cumulative death toll with 80 fatalities, followed by the Rajshahi division with 65.

In response to the surge, the Ministry of Health has identified "hotspots" and initiated an emergency vaccination campaign.

A total of 1.32 million people have been vaccinated across six divisions.

Additionally, 390,264 individuals have received vaccinations within the Dhaka (North and South), Barishal, and Mymensingh city corporations.