Measles outbreak worsens in country, four more children die

The measles outbreak has suddenly intensified across the country, with infections spreading rapidly. Four more children have died in the last 24 hours showing measles symptoms in Tangail, Chapainawabganj, Kushtia and Mymensingh. According to hospital sources, the death toll from the current outbreak has now surpassed fifty.

At Kushtia Medical College Hospital, an eight-month-old child named Afran died from measles and pneumonia. The child from Vhadalia area of Sadar upazila had been undergoing treatment for eight days. He died early Friday morning, April 3.

At Chapainawabganj 250-bed District Hospital, a two-and-a-half-year-old child named Masuda Khatun was brought to the emergency department with measles symptoms and was declared dead by doctors. She was brought to the hospital around 8:30 am on Friday.

A four-month-old child died in Mymensingh around 3:30 am on Thursday night. At the same time, an eight-month-old child named Saifal died while undergoing treatment at Tangail 250-bed General Hospital. Another 13 measles patients are currently undergoing treatment at that hospital.

Measles spreads to 56 districts
According to the World Health Organisation and the Directorate General of Health Services, measles has spread to 56 out of 64 districts. Young children make up the majority of those affected. Infections are most prevalent among children under two years of age.

As of March 30, a total of 2,190 suspected measles patients had been identified across the country. Among them, 676 have been confirmed to have the measles virus. Health experts believe the actual number of infections could be much higher.

Vaccination drive to begin Sunday
Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain said a special measles vaccination campaign will begin nationwide from Sunday to combat the rising infections. Leave of field-level health workers has already been cancelled to ensure the programme's success.

How measles spreads
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads rapidly through coughing, sneezing and airborne transmission. High fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and red rashes spreading across the body are the main symptoms.

According to doctors, children who have not received two doses of the vaccine, especially those under one year of age and those with low immunity, are at highest risk.