Two children have died after showing symptoms of measles in Rupganj upazila, while at least 15 cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests.
The deceased include Aryan Islam, son of Roki from Machimpara Baroipara in Murapara union, who died on 24 March at Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital in Dhaka.
Earlier, one-year-old Nuhash from Chanpara in Kayetpara union died on 19 March at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) hospital in Dhaka.
The outbreak has triggered a surge in patients, with more than 50 children treated for measles symptoms over the past 15 days.
Since Monday, 22 children have been admitted to Rupganj Upazila Health Complex, with eight discharged and seven still receiving treatment in the measles isolation ward.
The hospitalised children are Fatiha, 2, Dihan, 10, Minha, 8, Hasim, 4, Hafsa Akter, 8, Rayan Islam, 1, and Azan, 4.
Narayanganj Civil Surgeon Dr Mashiur Rahman said 15 out of 20 samples tested positive at the National Polio and Measles Laboratory since 17 March.
Around 80 percent of the infected children are below nine months of age and have not yet received vaccination, he said. Among the remaining cases, 10 percent had received one dose of the vaccine and 10 percent had received two doses.
Rupganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Ivy Ferdous said a medical team has been formed and a dedicated isolation ward has been opened. She urged parents to keep infected children separate and provide vitamin-rich food.
Upazila Health Assistants Association President Maksudul Hasan Motin said health workers are identifying symptomatic children to ensure timely treatment.
Narayanganj-1 lawmaker Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu said 75,000 doses of measles vaccine are in stock.
The vaccines will be administered in high-risk areas through a phased emergency programme starting Sunday, he said. He added that 41 community clinics and two union sub-health centres will remain operational, while a water ambulance service will be introduced to transport patients.
Authorities have urged parents not to panic and to seek medical advice immediately if symptoms appear.
