Measles claims two more children in Bangladesh in a day as outbreak shows no sign of slowing

Health authorities report fresh infections as hospitals continue to see a surge in suspected measles cases nationwide

The measles toll in Bangladesh has climbed to 453 after two more children died with symptoms of the disease in the last 24 hours.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its regular measles bulletin on Saturday that 74 of the total deaths were confirmed measles cases, while 379 others died with symptoms of the disease.

Dhaka Division accounts for the highest symptom-related toll at 150, followed by Rajshahi with 78.

Chattogram recorded 35 deaths, Sylhet and Mymensingh 32 each, Barisal 29, Khulna 19, and Rangpur four.

The directorate reported 108 new confirmed measles cases over the last 24 hours.

During this period, 961 patients arrived at hospitals with symptoms, of whom 852 were admitted.

Dhaka hospitals saw the highest admissions with symptoms over the 24-hour period at 360, while Rangpur logged the lowest with two.

Since Mar 15, the total number of suspected measles patients has reached 56,572, with 7,524 of those confirmed through lab testing.