Measles: global hotspots
Internationally, Bangladesh launched an emergency campaign to protect more than 1.2 million children, and in Sudan’s Shangil Tobaya the measles death toll rose to 11 after five more children died in two days. (SCMP: Bangladesh campaign; Darfur24: Shangil Tobaya deaths) ( ).
Bangladesh began an emergency measles-rubella vaccination drive on April 5 as Sudan’s Shangil Tobaya counted 11 child deaths in a fast-growing outbreak. (unicef.org) (darfur24.com) In Bangladesh, the campaign targets more than 1.2 million children ages 6 months to 5 years in 30 upazilas across 18 high-risk districts. Health authorities said it expands to four city corporations on April 12 and nationwide on May 3. (who.int) (unicef.org) In Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur, local responders said five children died in two days, lifting the measles toll to 11. Darfur24 reported 67 cases in the isolation center and wider spread in the town and nearby displacement camps. (darfur24.com 1) (darfur24.com 2) Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and it hits hardest where many children missed shots. The World Health Organization said 95,000 people died from measles in 2024, mostly unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under age 5. (who.int) The World Health Organization says at least 95 percent coverage with two doses is needed to stop transmission, but global coverage stayed below that mark in 2024. It estimated 84 percent of children received a first dose and 76 percent received a second dose. (who.int) (cdc.gov) Bangladesh’s campaign is aimed at closing those immunity gaps quickly. UNICEF said the first phase runs for 12 days and focuses on children younger than 59 months, the age group most exposed to severe complications. (unicef.org) Sudan is trying a larger catch-up push across Darfur at the same time. UNICEF said it is working with health authorities and partners on a measles-rubella campaign targeting 6 million children across Darfur as outbreaks spread and routine immunization falters. (unicef.org) The two outbreaks sit inside a wider rebound in measles after pandemic-era disruptions and stalled routine vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said outbreaks can cross borders easily when community coverage drops below 95 percent. (cdc.gov)
