After vaccination coverage in Rajshahi city exceeded the target, the incidence of measles among children has declined.
The alarming situation at Rajshahi Medical College in March has also eased. Health officials regard this as a success of the special vaccination programme.
When the measles-rubella outbreak took a severe turn in March this year, the most concerning situation arose in Rajshahi division.
At the paediatric ward of Rajshahi Medical College, the number of children with fever, reddish rashes, cough, and breathing difficulties was increasing daily.
Many children required intensive care, and some deaths occurred. The situation reached a level where the health department identified Rajshahi division as one of the country’s measles “hotspots.”
According to the health department, affected children were being brought to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital not only from Rajshahi but also from other districts of the division. With thousands of suspected patients, the health department had to take urgent measures to control the situation.
A large portion of affected children were below the recommended age for routine MR vaccination. Around 65 per cent of infected children were under nine months old, with most being approximately six months, increasing their risk of complications.
Professor Sahida Yasmin, head of the paediatrics department at Rajshahi Medical College, said on 30 March that, by that time, 270 children had been admitted with measles symptoms.
Laboratory tests confirmed measles in 35 of them. By then, 30 children had died with measles symptoms, though only one death was confirmed as measles.
Separate arrangements were made in the hospital’s designated measles corner and general paediatric ward to treat and isolate affected children.
Nearly 9,000 cases
In the last 24 hours to August 1, Rajshahi division reported 19 suspected measles cases and nine laboratory-confirmed cases, with no deaths. During the same period, 18 patients were admitted to hospital and 22 were discharged.
Since March 15, the division has recorded 8,999 suspected cases, including 91 deaths, and 1,325 confirmed cases with two deaths. A total of 7,899 patients have been hospitalized, while 8,007 have been discharged after recovery.
Emergency vaccination changes the scenario
To control the outbreak, an emergency measles-rubella vaccination programme was conducted across Rajshahi division. The programme was implemented through extensive campaigns, house-to-house surveys, and community awareness efforts.
According to the 2026 Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign data, Rajshahi division vaccinated 2,139,069 children against a target of 2,048,435, achieving 105 percent coverage.
The first phase of vaccination was conducted at 438 centres across the city. Later, the government extended the campaign until 20 May. Through house-to-house mop-up activities, children who were previously missed were vaccinated, and data was updated online.
City Corporation Administrator Md Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said, “Measles-rubella vaccination is extremely important to ensure children’s healthy and safe future. The campaign will continue to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.”
Hospital pressure eases
Following the vaccination campaign, the number of new cases in Rajshahi division’s hotspot areas began to decline steadily. According to doctors, although isolated patients still arrive, hospital pressure is no longer as severe as before.
Rajshahi Divisional Director (Health) Md Habibur Rahman said, “The measles situation is now largely under control. Compared to before, infections have declined significantly. There is currently no reason for panic.
However, to maintain this situation, all children must continue to be brought under the routine vaccination programme, and parents must remain vigilant.”
