Bangladesh is facing a major measles outbreak in which health authorities report that more than 500 children have died since the outbreak began in mid-March. Multiple outlets cite government figures indicating the death toll is rising, including additional deaths in the past day. The outbreak is affecting thousands of children, with figures including more than 8,000 confirmed cases and a much larger number of suspected infections. Reported cases are concentrated among children aged roughly six months to five years. Hospitals, particularly in Dhaka, are overwhelmed and set up dedicated wards, with some reporting shortages of intensive care capacity.
In response, Bangladesh is carrying out an emergency mass vaccination drive to stop transmission. UNICEF and other reporting describe the campaign as reaching millions of children, while health officials say the full effect of vaccination will take months to be reflected. Several sources attribute increased vulnerability to immunisation gaps, including disruptions following the 2024 political upheaval, as well as factors such as malnutrition and weakened immunity among children from low-income families.
Measles is highly contagious and has no specific cure, though complications can include severe respiratory illness and brain swelling.
