Two more children die from Measles, Measles-like symptoms at MMCH

Two children have died in the past 24 hours while undergoing treatment for measles-like symptoms at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH).

The latest fatalities raised the total death toll to 22 over the past one and a half months.

According to hospital sources, a total of 22 children have died at the facility since March 17 due to complications linked to suspected measles infections.

Currently, 63 patients with measles symptoms are receiving treatment at the hospital. In the last 24 hours, 24 new patients were admitted, while 28 recovered patients were discharged. One critically ill patient has been referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

Among the latest fatalities, one was a 10-month-old child from Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona district who was admitted on April 25 and died on April 30 night. The other was a five-month-old child from Islampur upazila of Jamalpur district, who died within hours of admission.

Doctors said both children likely died from complications of suspected measles, including pneumonia and heart failure.

Hospital data shows that 996 patients with measles symptoms were admitted between March 17 and May 1. Of them, 911 have recovered and returned home, while the rising death toll has raised concern among health officials and the public.

MMCH Assistant Director (Administration) Dr. Mohammad Mainuddin Khan said most patients have recovered during the period, but the recent deaths were due to severe complications such as pneumonia leading to cardiac failure. He stressed the importance of timely measles vaccination and immediate hospital admission after symptoms appear.