Bangladesh reported four more deaths linked to measles infection and related symptoms in the past 24 hours, alongside 1,136 new suspected cases and 69 laboratory-confirmed infections, health authorities said on Thursday.
The figures, updated up to 8am on Thursday, were released in a bulletin by the Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to the bulletin, three of the latest deaths involved patients with suspected measles symptoms, while one death was confirmed through laboratory testing.
Since 15 March this year, suspected measles-related deaths have risen to 514, while confirmed measles deaths stand at 91 nationwide.
During the same period, the country has recorded 75,708 suspected cases and 9,260 laboratory-confirmed infections.
A total of 61,194 patients have been hospitalised, while 57,043 have recovered and been discharged, according to the DGHS data.
Dhaka remains worst affected
Dhaka division continues to report the highest caseload. In the past 24 hours, 485 suspected and 54 confirmed cases were recorded, along with one confirmed death.
Chattogram reported 230 suspected and four confirmed cases, bringing its total confirmed deaths to 10 since the outbreak began.
Barishal recorded 158 suspected and six confirmed cases, while Rajshahi reported 73 suspected and four confirmed infections.
In Sylhet, 61 suspected cases and one suspected death were reported. Mymensingh recorded 38 suspected and one confirmed case, along with one suspected death.
Khulna reported 68 suspected cases with no confirmed deaths, while Rangpur recorded 23 suspected cases and one suspected death.
Immunisation coverage exceeds target
Despite the outbreak, health authorities reported strong performance in the national measles vaccination campaign.
Under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Bangladesh has vaccinated 1.84 crore children against a target of 1.80 crore, achieving about 102 per cent coverage.
Except for Sylhet division, all other divisions surpassed their vaccination targets.
Sylhet achieved 99 per cent coverage, while Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Rangpur each reported 103 per cent coverage. Barishal and Khulna recorded 101 per cent, and Mymensingh 102 per cent.
In 12 city corporations, vaccination coverage reached approximately 106 per cent overall, with Gazipur recording the highest at 113 percent, followed by Dhaka North at 110 percent. Rajshahi City Corporation reported 109 percent, Chattogram 107 per cent, Narayanganj 105 per cent, and Dhaka South 103 per cent, while Rangpur recorded the lowest at 99 per cent.
