Sylhet has witnessed a tragic rise in child fatalities, with five children dying within 24 hours while receiving treatment for measles-like symptoms at hospitals across the division.
According to the Health Department, this marks the first time five deaths have occurred in a single day from measles symptoms. Previously, the highest number of daily deaths reported was three. The information was confirmed on Friday morning (22 May) in a report sent from the Sylhet Divisional Health Office.
Of the five deceased children, three were from Sunamganj district, while the other two were residents of Sylhet and Habiganj districts.
The Health Department report states that two children died at M A G Osmani Medical College Hospital, one from Sunamganj and the other from Habiganj, while under treatment for measles symptoms. Another two children died at Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmad Hospital, one from Sunamganj and the other from Sylhet. A fifth child passed away at Sunamganj District Hospital.
With these fatalities, the total number of children who have died from measles or measles-like symptoms in Sylhet division this year has reached 47. Among them, four deaths were confirmed as measles cases through testing, while the remaining 43 children died with measles-like symptoms.
The report also states that 74 new patients exhibiting measles symptoms were admitted to various hospitals in Sylhet division over the past 24 hours. Currently, 283 patients are receiving treatment across the division’s hospitals.
However, the Health Department confirmed that none of the new patients tested positive for measles in laboratory examinations during the same period.
