Bangladesh measles death toll reaches 594

Bangladesh’s measles outbreak has continued to widen, with health authorities reporting 594 confirmed and suspected deaths since March 15 and more than 73,000 suspected cases nationwide. The latest update from the Directorate General of Health Services, or DGHS, said six more children died in the 24 hours to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2. The same bulletin said 309 deaths from measles and related symptoms were recorded in May alone. WHO has described the national risk as high, citing ongoing transmission, immunity gaps and the large number of susceptible children. ### How large is the outbreak now? DGHS data reported by Dhaka Tribune put the cumulative toll at 594 deaths since mid-March, including 504 suspected measles deaths and 90 laboratory-confirmed deaths. The same update said 1,292 suspected cases were recorded in the latest 24-hour period, taking the total number of suspected cases to 73,362, while confirmed infections reached 9,136. Since March 15, 59,106 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized and 54,812 have recovered, according to the report. (dhakatribune.com) WHO said earlier in the outbreak that Bangladesh had reported 19,161 suspected cases and 2,897 laboratory-confirmed cases between March 15 and April 14, along with 166 measles-related deaths. The U.N. agency said cases had been reported in 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts across all eight divisions, indicating nationwide spread. ### Why are children bearing most of the burden? (dhakatribune.com) WHO said 79% of reported cases in its April 23 disease-outbreak notice were in children under 5. UNICEF said young children were disproportionately affected, with under-fives accounting for 81% of cases as of April 7, including 34% among infants under nine months who are not yet eligible for routine immunization. (who.int) UNICEF said most cases were among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, with 72% classified as zero-dose and 16% partially vaccinated. WHO said the reported deaths were concentrated mainly among unvaccinated children under 2 years old. ### What is driving the outbreak? WHO said the national risk was high because of ongoing transmission across multiple divisions, documented immunity gaps and the occurrence of suspected measles-related deaths. (who.int) UNICEF said national measles-rubella vaccine stocks were depleted in early April, constraining both outbreak response and routine immunization. NPR reported on May 27 that hospitals in Bangladesh were overcrowded, with some facilities placing two measles patients in one bed and others unable to isolate patients. (unicef.org) In that report, UNICEF’s Bangladesh representative Rana Flowers said vaccine funding had been in the health ministry’s budget, but vaccines were not ordered and immunization campaigns were postponed. (who.int) ### How strained is the health system? UNICEF said rapid assessments found health facilities under severe strain, with overcrowding, limited triage and isolation capacity, and gaps in critical medical supplies and referral systems. NPR reported that Bangladesh Shishu Hospital in Dhaka had converted administrative rooms into patient rooms as admissions climbed. (kdlg.org) Dhaka has been one of the hardest-hit areas. WHO said the highest cumulative burden of suspected cases as of mid-April was in Dhaka, followed by Rajshahi, Chattogram and Khulna, with cases in Dhaka concentrated in densely populated informal settlements including Demra, Jatrabari, Kamrangirchar, Korail, Mirpur and Tejgaon. ### What response is underway now? (unicef.org) WHO said Bangladesh’s targeted measles-rubella vaccination campaign started on April 5. UNICEF said the campaign initially covered 18 high-burden districts and was paired with Vitamin A supplementation, support for health facilities, procurement of medical supplies and community engagement. WHO said surveillance and epidemiological analysis were also being strengthened to improve case detection and reporting. (who.int) The next official benchmark to watch is the release of updated DGHS case and death figures, as Bangladesh continues its vaccination drive and hospital response.