Measles claims lives of 12 more children in 24 hours, death toll hits 336

At least 12 children have died in the last 24 hours across the country due to measles and measles-like symptoms, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the latest deaths reported between 8:00am Wednesday and 8:00am Thursday, one child was confirmed to have measles, while the remaining 11 were reported to have died from measles-related complications.

In the same period, 1,238 new suspected cases of measles symptoms were recorded across the country, the DGHS said in its latest bulletin released on Thursday (May 7).

Among the latest fatalities, one occurred in Dhaka due to confirmed measles, while deaths from suspected cases were reported from Barishal (1), Dhaka (5), Khulna (1), Mymensingh (1), Rajshahi (2), and Sylhet (1).

Earlier, the highest single-day death toll was recorded on May 4, when 17 children died from measles and related complications.

Since March 15, a total of 336 children have died nationwide—279 from suspected measles symptoms and 57 after confirmed infection, according to health authorities.

DGHS data also shows that since mid-March, 45,498 children have exhibited measles-like symptoms, with 31,912 admitted to hospitals and 28,238 discharged after recovery. During the same period, 6,208 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as measles.