The measles situation in Bangladesh is becoming increasingly alarming, with 17 more deaths recorded across the country in 24 hours, between 8am Sunday and 8am on Monday.
According to the latest data from Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 16 of these fatalities were attributed to suspected measles, while one death was laboratory-confirmed. During the same period, 1,127 new suspected cases were identified alongside 97 confirmed cases.
The figures, released in a regular press statement by Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room, reveal a grim picture of the escalating crisis.
Since 15 March, the country has recorded a total of 458 deaths from suspected measles and 87 deaths from lab-confirmed measles. Between 15 March and 25 May, the overall number of suspected patients reached 64,940, with 8,719 cases confirmed through laboratory testing.
The outbreak has placed a significant burden on the healthcare system, with 51,585 patients requiring hospitalisation since the start of the crisis, including 1,027 new admissions in the last 24 hours. Conversely, 47,619 patients have been discharged after recovery, with 1,405 of those recoveries occurring in the last 24 hours.
Dhaka Division remains the hardest hit, leading in both fatalities and infection rates. Of the 16 suspected deaths reported in last 24 hours, six occurred in Dhaka, three in Sylhet, two each in Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Barishal, and one in Mymensingh.
The single laboratory-confirmed death during this period was also recorded in Dhaka. In terms of infections, Dhaka Division saw 488 new suspected cases and 42 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its cumulative total to 30,688 cases and 180 deaths.
Other divisions have also reported significant numbers: Chattogram has recorded 10,455 cases (44 deaths), Rajshahi 6,077 cases (82 deaths), Barishal 5,573 cases (34 deaths), Khulna 4,870 cases (21 deaths), Sylhet 3,290 cases (53 deaths), Mymensingh 2,719 cases (38 deaths), and Rangpur 1,268 cases (6 deaths).
Despite the rising numbers, the government’s National Measles-Rubella Campaign 2026 has surpassed its vaccination targets as of 25 May. Against a national target of 1,80,15,064 children, the campaign successfully vaccinated 1,84,45,959 children, achieving 102 per cent coverage.
All divisions except Sylhet (99 per cent) achieved over 100 per cent coverage, with Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions reaching 103 per cent.
In the 12 city corporations, 20,18,076 children were vaccinated against a target of 19,05,950, resulting in 106 per cent overall coverage. Gazipur City Corporation achieved the highest success rate at 113 per cent, followed by Dhaka North and Rajshahi at 109 per cent, Chattogram at 107 per cent, and Khulna at 102 per cent. However, Rangpur City Corporation slightly lagged behind the national trend with 98 per cent coverage.
