Nineteen children showing symptoms similar to measles were admitted to Chapainawabganj District Hospital within a 24-hour period from 12:00am Tuesday to 12:00am Wednesday.
Hospital sources said children with fever, skin rash and cold-like symptoms are arriving daily, putting pressure on the 250-bed hospital.
Authorities have set up an isolation corner to manage the growing number of patients. However, overcrowding has forced some children to receive treatment on the floor due to a shortage of beds.
During the same 24-hour period, 44 children recovered and were discharged. Three critical patients were referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
At present, 75 children are undergoing treatment at the hospital with similar symptoms.
Since January, a total of 721 children have been treated for measles-like symptoms at the hospital. Four deaths have been reported during this period.
Resident Medical Officer Abdus Samad said not all cases have been confirmed as measles. He said many cases involve heat-related rashes combined with fever and cold symptoms, which are often mistaken for measles and create panic among guardians.
He added that hospital admission is not required for every suspected case. He urged parents to seek medical advice and manage mild cases at home when possible, considering the ongoing shortage of beds.
