Health authorities have confirmed measles in eight children after testing samples collected from 67 suspected cases in Chattogram, raising concern over a possible spread among young children.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization representative in Chattogram, Dr Khalida Akhi, dismissed rumours of five children’s deaths linked to the recent outbreak, saying that no fatalities due to measles in Chattogram have been confirmed so far.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the measles block of the Paediatric Department at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Monday, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain also confirmed the matter.
The mayor explained that the recent deaths, including both children and mothers, were due to secondary pneumonia and respiratory complications. These were not measles-related deaths. He, however, warned that if pneumonia becomes severe, it can pose a life-threatening risk.
The District Civil Surgeon’s Office has reported that 35 samples were collected from Chattogram City Corporation and 32 from other areas of the district over the past week.
Of these, six cases of measles have been confirmed in the city, and two in other areas of the district. Rubella has also been detected in one child from the city corporation.
Civil Surgeon Md Jahangir Alam said that adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of pneumonia patients at district and medical college hospitals. A separate special corner for measles patients has also been set up at the CMCH.
Health officials said 28 children with measles-like symptoms are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the district, while 12 others were released after receiving primary care.
The highest number of samples were collected from CMCH. In the past week, 18 children were admitted to the hospital’s paediatric department with suspected symptoms of measles, one of whom had already tested positive for measles. Samples from the other 17 children have been sent to Dhaka for laboratory analysis.
The first confirmed case involved a five-and-a-half-month-old infant from Boalkhali upazila, whose diagnosis was confirmed through testing.
Initially, the child had been admitted to Chattogram International Medical College Hospital for treatment of another illness, where several other children with fever and rashes were also being treated in the same ward. After being diagnosed with measles, the child was later referred to Chattogram Medical College (CMC) Hospital.
Another infant from Hathazari upazila has tested positive at Chattogram Mother and Child General Hospital.
Nine other children are receiving treatment for measles symptoms at the same hospital. A child is also admitted to Chattogram General Hospital.
Professor Mohammad Musa Mia, head of the paediatric department at CMC Hospital, said most of the admitted children are under 15 months old. They are showing symptoms such as fever, rashes, and in some cases, pneumonia.
He added that children displaying measles symptoms are being kept in a separate area for treatment. Health officials have urged vigilance as testing continues and more results are awaited.
According to the government’s immunisation schedule, the first dose of the measles vaccine is given to children at nine months of age, with a second dose at 15 months. However, children under nine months of age, who are yet to receive their vaccine, are at comparatively higher risk of the infectious disease.
