Measles infections continue to rise across several regions, with new child deaths reported in Barishal and Mymensingh and a steady increase in hospital admissions in Rangpur division. Health officials warn of growing infections, although no deaths have been reported in Rangpur so far.
Barishal
Two more children died with measles symptoms at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal in the last 24 hours, raising the death toll in the division to 14.
The deceased were Sadia, aged two, daughter of Rajib from Ward 7 of Kazirchar Union in Muladi upazila, and Rakib, aged nine months, son of Habibur Rahman from Ward 8 of Chakhar Union in Banaripara upazila.
Hospital Director Brigadier General Moshiul Munir confirmed the matter on Friday. He said both children were admitted around 2pm on 8 April with measles symptoms. They died early Friday within an hour of each other. Sadia died at around 3:45am, while Rakib died at around 4:45am.
With these, five children have died with measles symptoms at the hospital. Currently, 92 patients are undergoing treatment there, including 31 new admissions in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 28 patients recovered and returned home during the same period. A total of 341 patients with measles symptoms have been admitted to the hospital so far.
Mymensingh
The measles situation in Mymensingh continues to worsen. One more child died with measles symptoms at the isolation ward of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, raising the death toll there to 10.
Hospital officials said 20 more children were admitted in the past 24 hours. At present, 72 children are receiving treatment in the isolation ward.
Associate Professor Mohammad Golam Mawla, focal person of the measles medical team, confirmed the matter on Friday morning.
He said “A three-year-old child from Mymensingh Sadar had been admitted on 2 April with measles symptoms. The child had pre-existing conditions including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and global developmental delay. The child died at around 10:30am on Thursday.
Hospital sources said a total of 344 children were admitted with measles symptoms between 17 March and 10 April morning. Of them, 262 recovered and returned home, including 23 in the last 24 hours.”
Assistant Director (Administration) Mohammad Main Uddin Khan said a 64-bed isolation ward has been set up on the eighth floor of the new hospital building. However, patient pressure continues to rise. He urged guardians to be more aware to prevent transmission among children.
Authorities have formed three specialised medical teams to manage the situation. Doctors and nurses continue to provide treatment with utmost dedication.
Rangpur
The number of patients admitted with measles symptoms is also rising in Rangpur division, although no deaths have been reported so far.
According to the Divisional Health Director’s office, 48 patients were admitted to outpatient departments and wards of Rangpur and Dinajpur medical colleges, as well as district and upazila hospitals, in the 24 hours from Thursday morning to Friday morning. This is five more than the previous day.
So far, 381 patients have been admitted across the division. Of them, 342 have recovered and returned home, while 39 remain under treatment.
The admitted patients include two in Rangpur, three in Lalmonirhat, nine in Nilphamari, three in Dinajpur, seven in Gaibandha, three in Thakurgaon, three in Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, and nine in Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
From 1 January to 30 March, 13 measles cases have been confirmed from 116 samples tested. These include five in Nilphamari, three in Dinajpur, two each in Thakurgaon and Rangpur, and one in Kurigram.
ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, focal person of the measles treatment committee and Consultant in the Department of Pediatrics at Rangpur Medical College & Hospital, said the situation is not yet alarming but admissions are increasing daily.
Rangpur Divisional Health Director Md Gausul Azim Chowdhury said “Adequate treatment facilities, including measles corners, have been set up at medical college, district and upazila hospitals, and field workers remain on alert.”
