Another child dies of measles-like illness in Barishal, death toll rises to 31

Another child has died with measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours in Bangladesh’s Barishal division, bringing the total death toll to 31, health officials said on Friday (May 15).

Of the total fatalities, 21 children died at the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital), the region’s main tertiary care facility, according to the hospital director’s office.

The latest victim was 17-month-old Afiya, daughter of Abu Hanif from Amtali upazila in Barguna district.

Hospital authorities said that between 8:30am Thursday and 8:30am Friday, 48 new patients with measles-like symptoms were admitted, while 44 patients were discharged after recovery. A total of 173 patients are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Since January this year, 2,104 patients with measles-like symptoms have been treated at the facility, according to official data.

Barishal Divisional Health Office acting director Dr Md Lokman Hakim said vaccination activities are ongoing to contain the outbreak.

He noted that antibodies take around four weeks to develop after vaccination and expressed hope that the situation would come under control soon.