MR vaccination starts across 30 high-risk areas

The simultaneous emergency measles-rubella (MR) vaccination program has begun in 30 high-risk areas of the country. The program, which began on Sunday morning, will continue until May 21.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul inaugurated the program at an inaugural ceremony held in Nawabganj, Dhaka. He said that children in high-risk areas are being quickly brought under the ambit of vaccination to control measles transmission.

According to the Department of Health, the vaccination program will continue from 10am to 5pm every day. In the first phase, all children aged 5 months to 59 months will be vaccinated. Those who have not received regular vaccinations before will also be able to get vaccinated under this program. Even those who have already been vaccinated will be included in the vaccination program again considering the risk.

The Health Department said that vitamin 'A' capsules will be given to affected or suspected children. However, only healthy children will be vaccinated. Sick children have been advised to get vaccinated after recovery. The target of vaccinating 1,323,600 children under this program has been set. The program may be expanded further in the future, considering the situation.

The Health Department said that affected or suspected children will be given vitamin 'A' capsules. However, only healthy children will be vaccinated. Sick children have been advised to get vaccinated after recovering. A target of 13,23,600 children has been set under this program. The program may be expanded further in the future, considering the situation.

The 30 upazilas included in the first phase include Barguna Sadar, Mehendiganj and Bakerganj in Barisal, Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar, Maheshkhali and Ramu in Cox's Bazar, Nawabganj, Gazipur Sadar, Jessore Sadar in Dhaka, Nalchiti in Jhalokati, Madaripur Sadar, Munshiganj Sadar, Srinagar and Louhajang, Mymensingh Sadar, Trishal and Phulpur, Natore Sadar, Atpara in Netrokona, Porsha in Naogaon, Chapainawabganj Sadar, Shibganj and Bholahat, Ishwardi, Sadar, Atgharia and Bera in Pabna, Godagari in Rajshahi and Jajira in Shariatpur.

State Minister for Health MA Muhith, Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas were present at the press conference.

Latest situation

According to the latest information from the Department of Health, 787 children have been admitted to various hospitals in the country with measles symptoms in the previous 24 hours till 8 am yesterday. At the same time, six children have died, of whom two have been confirmed to have measles. In addition, 60 new children have been diagnosed with measles.

Since March 15, a total of 6,476 children have been treated in hospitals with measles symptoms. During this time, 98 people have died. Measles has been confirmed in 826 children, of whom 16 have died.

The situation outside the capital is worrying

Three children have died in a day at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with measles symptoms. With this, the total number of deaths there has risen to 38. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Shankar K Biswas said that three children died while undergoing treatment from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. At the same time, 25 more children have been admitted.

Two more children have died with measles symptoms at Kushtia Medical College Hospital and Kushtia General Hospital. They died while undergoing treatment between 11:30 pm and 12 am on Friday. With this, the total death toll in the district has risen to four.

Meanwhile, 27 new children have been admitted to various hospitals in Gopalganj after contracting measles. As a result, the total number of infected people in the district has increased to 91.