Bangladesh confirms 8,000 measles cases

Bangladesh has confirmed 8,067 measles cases in a nationwide outbreak that has spread across all 64 districts, according to a May 21 situation report carried by ReliefWeb. The report said 57,856 suspected cases had been recorded as of May 20, with children under five making up 81% of reported infections. The World Health Organization said Bangladesh had already notified it in early April of sustained nationwide transmission and had begun a targeted measles-rubella vaccination campaign. The outbreak has drawn attention beyond Bangladesh because health agencies in Europe and the United States have been warning that measles importations often begin with unvaccinated international travelers. ### How large is the Bangladesh outbreak now? ReliefWeb said on May 21 that Bangladesh had reported 57,856 suspected measles cases and 8,067 confirmed cases by May 20. The same update said the outbreak had reached all 64 districts and that children younger than 5 accounted for 81% of reported cases. (reliefweb.int) The World Health Organization said Bangladesh’s National International Health Regulations focal point first notified WHO on April 4 of a nationwide increase in cases. In a Disease Outbreak News update published April 23, WHO said 58 of 64 districts had already been affected and described the national risk as high because of ongoing transmission, immunity gaps and suspected measles-related deaths. (reliefweb.int) ### Why are so many of the cases among young children? WHO said 79% of the cases reported between March 15 and April 14 were in children under 5. UNICEF Bangladesh said in an April 8 situation report that infants and young children were disproportionately affected, with 81% of cases in children under 5 and 34% in infants younger than 9 months. (who.int) WHO said Bangladesh had launched a phased measles-rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to 59 months on April 5. The agency said the response also included stronger surveillance, expanded laboratory capacity and hospital preparedness measures. ### What does this mean for travelers outside Bangladesh? CDC said measles cases in the United States often originate from unvaccinated international travelers. (who.int) The agency said measles remains common in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and advised that all international travelers be fully vaccinated before departure. (who.int) CDC said travelers who are not already protected should receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at least two weeks before international travel. If a trip is less than two weeks away, the agency said a dose should still be given. ### What is the concern in Spain? The user’s source material referred to warnings tied to Murcia, Spain, but I could not verify the Murcia cluster through an accessible primary public-health source in this search. (cdc.gov) GOV.UK’s Spain travel advice page was available, but the retrieved excerpt did not show a Murcia-specific measles notice. CDC’s broader guidance does not depend on a single destination notice. (cdc.gov) The agency says travelers should review destination outbreak notices and ensure vaccination records are up to date because imported measles cases can seed new outbreaks after travel. ### What happens next in Bangladesh? WHO said outbreak response measures in Bangladesh were continuing nationwide, including surveillance, epidemiological analysis and vaccination. (gov.uk) ReliefWeb’s May 21 situation report indicates the key near-term milestones are updated case counts and the progress of emergency immunization efforts across the country’s districts. (cdc.gov) I verified the Bangladesh case count and response through WHO, UNICEF and ReliefWeb, and the travel guidance through CDC. I could not independently confirm the Murcia-specific warning from an accessible primary health authority source in this search, so I have noted that limitation rather than repeating it as established fact. (who.int)