Bangladesh continues to grapple with a persistent measles outbreak, with five more suspected deaths and 950 new cases reported across the country in 24 hours leading up to Friday morning.
According to a press release from Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest figures were recorded between 8am on 23 July and 8am on 24 July.
Of 950 newly identified suspected patients, 187 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as measles.
Among the five suspected fatalities reported during this period, Dhaka division recorded the highest number with three deaths, while one death each was reported in Chittagong and Khulna divisions.
The data shows that Dhaka division remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 409 of the 950 new suspected cases. This was followed by Chattogram with 222 cases, Barishal with 119, Sylhet with 62, Khulna with 47, Mymensingh with 41, Rajshahi with 32, and Rangpur with 18.
In the same 24-hour window, 854 new patients were hospitalised nationwide, while 868 patients were discharged after recovery.
The scale of the outbreak since 15 March has reached 122,150 suspected cases, with 15,194 confirmed infections identified through testing.
The total death toll involving suspected measles patients has risen to 715, of which 95 deaths have been officially confirmed as caused by measles. The DGHS noted that the infection and mortality rates for suspected measles remain highest in the Dhaka division.
To date, a total of 104,717 patients have required hospital treatment, and 101,056 have been discharged following recovery.
