Two more children have died while undergoing treatment for measles at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), taking the total death toll from the viral outbreak to five within the last 12 days.
The latest fatalities, which occurred on Saturday night, were identified as Leon, the seven-month-old son of Abdur Rahim from the Char Gubadia area of Mymensingh Sadar, and Nur Nabi, a six-month-old infant from Sararkona village in Kalmakanda upazila.
The previous victims of the outbreak include four-month-old Wajkuruni from Gauripur, three-year-old Tanusa from the city’s Nawmahal area, and two-year-old Samiya from the Police Lines area (March 26).
As of Sunday afternoon, a total of 626 children remained admitted to the hospital’s paediatric ward with various complications, including pneumonia and diarrhoea. Out of these, 106 children were diagnosed with measles over the past 12 days. Currently, 85 children in critical condition are being kept in the isolation ward, and samples from 47 patients have been sent to Dhaka for laboratory testing.
In response to the escalating crisis, a three-member committee has been formed, headed by paediatric specialist Professor Golam Maula, to manage the situation.
However, the surge in patients has pushed wards 30 and 31 to their limits, resulting in a severe bed shortage. In many instances, two children are being treated on a single bed.
Furthermore, hospital sources expressed concern that some measles patients are being kept alongside general patients due to the space crisis, significantly increasing the risk of cross-infection.
Dr Mazharul Amin, Assistant Registrar of the paediatric department, noted that the hospital is seeing both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. He admitted that despite creating separate corners, 100 percent isolation cannot be ensured due to the space crunch. This was echoed by Shahanaj Begum, a resident of Gauripur, who lamented that her son contracted measles despite receiving all scheduled vaccinations.
Professor Dr Aktaruzzaman, head of the paediatric department, identified gaps in the vaccination programme as the primary cause of the current situation.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Mainuddin Khan, Assistant Director (Administration) of MMCH, assured that isolation facilities would be expanded as needed, noting that preparations are underway to convert Ward 8 into a dedicated isolation ward.
At the district level, Acting Civil Surgeon Dr Faisal Ahmed confirmed that separate beds have been arranged at 13 upazila health complexes.
Additionally, “Dedicated Fever Clinics” have been launched in outpatient departments to treat children. He urged parents to ensure timely vaccinations and to keep children away from infected individuals to curb the spread of the highly contagious virus.
