Measles is increasingly causing alarm in Sylhet, with infections now spreading among adults alongside a rise in child deaths linked to the disease.
Concern among health authorities and physicians intensified after a trainee nurse died with measles symptoms at Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital on Monday.
The deceased nurse was from Durgapur in Bishwambarpur upazila of Sunamganj. She had been serving as a trainee midwife at Companiganj Upazila Health Complex in Sylhet.
Hospital sources said she had been suffering from cough, skin rashes, and other measles-like symptoms for several days.
As her condition deteriorated, she first sought treatment at a private hospital in Sylhet. When her health worsened further, she was admitted to Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital on Sunday afternoon.
She died there on Monday morning while undergoing treatment.
According to information from hospitals in Sylhet and other parts of the country, there has recently been a noticeable increase in patients aged between 20 and 40 being admitted with fever, cold symptoms, cough, red eyes, and skin rashes.
The disease, once largely confined to children, is now gradually spreading among young people and adults as well.
Doctors said the risk of infection is increasing due to many people not receiving vaccination during childhood, while in other cases long-term immunity may have weakened over time.
They also said gaps in vaccination coverage in some areas are making the situation more complex.
Child specialist Jahan Ahmed Parag said measles is a viral infection that weakens the body’s immune system and causes vitamin A deficiency, allowing the disease to spread rapidly.
“We are now seeing measles patients not only among children but also among adults. In many cases, complications are increasing because patients are arriving at hospitals too late,” he said.
He added that the measles virus is highly contagious and can spread quickly, particularly in densely populated areas and among unvaccinated communities.
He also said unrestricted movement of children without proper protection is contributing to the rise in infections.
According to the physician, although Bangladesh has a routine vaccination programme for children, booster doses or re-vaccination for adults do not receive much attention.
“As a result, many people believe that taking the vaccine once guarantees lifelong protection, which is not entirely correct,” he said.
Sylhet Divisional Health Directorate Director Dr Mahbubur Rahman said the situation is under close observation and initiatives are being taken to strengthen vaccination activities further.
He also advised people to get vaccinated and seek treatment promptly if symptoms appear.
Regarding adult infections, he said adults can also contract the disease, especially those who regularly come into contact with infected individuals.
“How strong a person’s immunity is also matters. People with diabetes, malnutrition, or those who did not receive vaccination during childhood remain at risk of infection,” he said.
Referring to the death of the trainee nurse, he described it as a rare case.
“The nurse probably had not received a dose of the measles vaccine, which may have caused complications in her case. We are monitoring the situation regularly. If such incidents increase or the number of adult infections continues to rise, steps will be taken in consultation with the health ministry,” he added.
