Bangladesh reports nine more children deaths from measles, symptoms as toll crosses 350

In the past 24 hours, 489 new cases of the contagious viral disease have been detected across the country

Another nine children have died in the past 24 hours due to measles and its symptoms, including three confirmed cases.

During the period, 489 new infections of the highly contagious viral disease were recorded nationwide.

Since Mar 15, a total of 61 children have died from confirmed measles, while another 291 have died with related symptoms, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.

The bulletin shows the highest number of symptom-related deaths -- 135 -- occurred in Dhaka Division, followed by 78 in Rajshahi.

Other fatalities were reported in Chattogram (25), Khulna 18), and Barishal (12).

In the past 24 hours alone, 946 people with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals, of whom 769 required hospitalisation.

Dhaka recorded the highest admissions at 353, while Rangpur reported the lowest at one patient.

Since Mar 15, the total number of suspected measles cases has reached 47,656, with 6,979 confirmed infections.