Three more deaths suspected of being caused by measles have been recorded in Bangladesh over the past 24 hours, taking the total death toll from suspected and confirmed cases to 997 since 15 March this year.
During the same 24-hour period, 1,156 new suspected cases and 60 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were detected across the country.
These figures were released on Monday in a regular press bulletin issued by Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room (HEOC & CR) under Integrated Control Centre of Health Services Division of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to the official bulletin, the three suspected deaths occurred between 8am on 6 September and 8am on 7 September, with two of these fatalities reported in Dhaka.
From 15 March to 7 September, the country registered a total of 165,304 suspected measles cases, of which 19,756 cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests.
The overall death toll of 997 includes 897 deaths from suspected measles and 100 deaths from laboratory-confirmed measles.
A cumulative total of 145,270 patients have been admitted to various hospitals across the country with measles or measles-like symptoms since 15 March, and following treatment, 139,831 patients have fully recovered and returned home.
In terms of regional distribution, Dhaka remains the hardest-hit area for both suspected cases and fatalities, with 71,194 suspected cases and 403 deaths recorded since 15 March.
Chattogram followed with 32,460 suspected cases and 65 deaths, while Sylhet division experienced 12,555 suspected cases and 155 deaths.
Additionally, Barisal recorded 18,097 suspected cases and 56 deaths, Khulna reported 10,709 cases and 37 deaths, Rajshahi documented 9,921 suspected cases and 92 deaths, Mymensingh registered 7,951 cases and 75 deaths, and Rangpur recorded 2,917 cases and 14 deaths.
Meanwhile, the National Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign has exceeded its targeted coverage.
According to data from DHIS2 and EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) Surveillance, a total of 19,729,510 children have been immunised against an original target of 18,015,064, representing a national vaccination coverage rate of 109.5 per cent.
In the country’s 12 city corporations, where the target was to immunise 1,905,950 children, the vaccination drive successfully covered 2,068,076 children, marking a coverage rate of 108.5 per cent.
Among these urban centres, Gazipur recorded the highest vaccination coverage at 115.5 per cent, while Dhaka North City Corporation achieved a coverage rate of 112.4 per cent.
