Bangladesh measles kills 500+

Bangladesh’s measles outbreak has become one of the deadliest in the world this year, with the country’s health authorities reporting more than 500 child deaths by May 23. Government data cited by multiple news outlets put the toll at 512 after 13 children died in the previous 24 hours, while hospitals in Dhaka have reported sustained pressure from severe pediatric cases. WHO said in an outbreak notice published last month that Bangladesh had recorded 19,161 suspected cases and 166 measles-related deaths between March 15 and April 14, with most cases in children under 5. ### How bad is the outbreak now? As of May 23, Bangladesh had logged 512 suspected measles-related deaths and more than 62,000 suspected cases, according to government figures cited by Al Jazeera, NPR-linked coverage and local media. The rise from 166 deaths reported by WHO for the period ending April 14 shows how quickly the outbreak worsened over five weeks. (aljazeera.com) The age profile has been consistent. WHO said 79% of reported cases were in children younger than 5, and UNICEF said children under 5 accounted for 81% of cases in early April, including a large share of infants under nine months. ### Why are so many deaths among very young children? Children aged 6 months to 5 years have been at the center of the outbreak, according to UNICEF, WHO and Bangladesh health data. (aljazeera.com) UNICEF said the emergency vaccination drive was designed to protect more than 1.2 million children in that age group across high-risk districts, while WHO linked the outbreak to immunity gaps in routine childhood immunization. (who.int) The Lancet said in an April commentary that Bangladesh was seeing unusually high measles mortality alongside “phenomenal” pressure on hospitals treating severe pediatric cases. WHO and relief agencies have also pointed to weak vaccination coverage in some areas and delayed care-seeking as part of the outbreak picture. ### What is Bangladesh doing to stop it? (unicef.org) On April 5, the Government of Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign with support from UNICEF, WHO and Gavi. The initial phase targeted more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years in 30 upazilas across 18 high-risk districts, then expanded to four city corporations from April 12 and nationwide from May 3. (thelancet.com) WHO said outbreak response measures also included stronger surveillance and epidemiological analysis to improve case detection and reporting. Bangladesh has also asked WHO to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the worsening outbreak, according to reporting published May 24. ### Why does this matter outside Bangladesh? Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughs and sneezes, WHO and Al Jazeera said, which means outbreaks can affect travel planning and vaccination checks for families moving between countries. (unicef.org) Public health agencies routinely advise travelers to make sure measles immunizations are up to date before international trips, especially when outbreaks are active. (who.int) For families with ties to Bangladesh, the immediate practical issue is records and timing. Bangladesh’s campaign is focused on children 6 months to 5 years old, and the next key markers are continued case updates from the Directorate General of Health Services and response updates from WHO, UNICEF and Gavi as the nationwide campaign continues. (unicef.org) (aljazeera.com)