Article by Viory
Doctors in Bangladesh are raising the alarm as measles spreads to 56 of the country’s 64 districts, with the disease suspected to have caused 186 deaths in the past month.
Footage filmed at the DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday shows children admitted to the general ward with their parents. Medical teams can be seen making rounds, changing IV packs, and treating the children.
“It would not be wrong to call the measles outbreak an epidemic. Yesterday, 38 patients were admitted to our floor within 24 hours,” said Dr Ivey Akter, a child specialist.
Of the 186 deaths, only 32 have been lab-confirmed, due to overstretched diagnostic facilities and many deaths occurring in rural areas before testing could be completed.
According to UNICEF, most cases are among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, while depleted national Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine stocks are hampering both response efforts and routine immunisation.
Doctors also blame education within communities.
“They did not get vaccinated because they did not understand the importance of the vaccine. <…> We believe many cases have spread due to parents’ negligence regarding vaccination,” Akter added.
“I first treated my 9-month-old baby in a private hospital in Bhairab. I changed a few doctors, but none of them could give me any idea about measles. Later, on a professor’s advice, we came to this hospital last night. When I arrived at 2 am, there was still a doctor available. I have been getting good treatment since last night,” said one child’s father.
Majorly affected areas include Dhaka North and South, Cox’s Bazar, Barguna, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Natore, Mymensingh, and Barishal.
Measles is a highly contagious and serious airborne viral infection characterised by high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinct red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.
Experts have described this widespread transmission as an epidemic. According to health officials, it could have been avoided with timely measles vaccination.
Approximately 20,000 cases were reported between March 15 and April 13, with authorities warning that a full-scale nationwide vaccination campaign cannot begin until early May, pending the arrival of vaccine shipments.
Article by Viory
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