8 more children die with measles symptoms

Measles outbreak has reached an alarming level, with eight more children dying after developing symptoms associated with the disease in the past 24 hours, according to the latest report from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday.

The health authority said that while the eight deaths were linked to measles-like symptoms, no child was confirmed to have died from laboratory-verified measles during the reporting period.

The latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths involving measles symptoms since March 15 to 493. In addition, 90 children have been confirmed to have died from measles during the same period. Overall, the outbreak has claimed 583 lives, either from confirmed measles infections or related symptoms.

According to the DGHS update released on Saturday, 1,086 children were newly affected by measles or measles-like symptoms over the past day. Of them, 53 cases were laboratory-confirmed measles infections, while 1,033 children were identified as having symptoms consistent with the disease.

Hospitals admitted 907 children for treatment during the 24-hour period, while 539 patients were discharged after receiving medical care.

Since March 15, Bangladesh has recorded a total of 69,612 suspected measles cases nationwide. Laboratory testing has confirmed 8,996 infections.

Health officials also reported that 55,705 patients have been hospitalized since the outbreak began. Of those, 52,050 have recovered and returned home following treatment.

Public health experts have urged authorities to strengthen vaccination campaigns and ensure rapid medical intervention for infected children to contain the spread of the disease. They have also called for more effective public health measures as the country continues to battle one of its most serious measles outbreaks in recent years.