Measles infections are rising rapidly in Madaripur, with more than 365 children infected across the district, raising concern among residents and health officials.
Hospital sources said 367 patients with measles symptoms have been admitted to Madaripur 250-bed District Hospital during the current outbreak. Among them, one child has died, while 36 patients were referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
On Friday morning, 32 children, including three newly admitted patients in the last 24 hours, were receiving treatment at the hospital. Another 14 patients left the hospital after recovery during the same period.
Authorities have opened a separate unit for measles patients at the hospital, where specialist doctors are providing round-the-clock treatment. Naime Matubbar, father of child patient Humaira from Khalpar area of Mostafapur in sadar upazila, said his daughter suddenly developed cough and vomiting before small rashes appeared on her body.
“At first we took her to a private hospital and later shifted her to the government hospital. She has been admitted to the sadar hospital for four days and is now slightly better,” he said.
Anwara, grandmother of six-month-old measles patient Saimon from Fasiatala Alipur area of Kalkini upazila, said the child had been on a hospital bed for five days.
“His condition has improved slightly over the last two days. We were worried because he became infected even after vaccination,” she said.
Madaripur 250-bed District Hospital Residential Medical Officer Dr Akhil Sarkar urged parents not to panic if measles symptoms appear in children and to seek treatment immediately at nearby government hospitals.
He also advised guardians to provide children with plenty of liquid food.
The official said sufficient stocks of measles vaccines are available at upazila health complexes and the district sadar hospital.
