United News of Bangladesh

Nine more children died from measles and with measles-like symptoms across the country in 24 hours until 8:00 am Sturday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the new deaths, three was confirmed as measles-related while the remaining six were listed as suspected cases. With the latest figures, the total number of confirmed measles deaths since March 15 has risen to 61 while suspected deaths to 291, it said . Among the confirmed deaths, the highest three cases were reported in Barishal. Besides, highest three suspected deaths were reported in Dhaka. According to DGHS data, 946 new suspected measles cases were recorded during the reporting period, taking the total number of suspected cases to 47,656. During the same period, 489 new confirmed measles cases were reported, raising the total number of confirmed infections to 6,979. Since March 15, a total of 33,631 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised, 29,746 of them have recovered, the DGHS said.

Three more children have died while undergoing treatment with measles-like symptoms in Sylhet, further heightening concerns over the growing outbreak in the division. According to the Sylhet divisional office of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were recorded in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday. Of the deceased, two died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and one at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital between 6:00pm and 11:00pm on Thursday, health officials said. The deceased were identified as Mahadi Hasan, 5 months, son of Abdul Mumin of Surma Residential Area in Akhalia of Sylhet city; Mustakin, 6 months, son of Sunnah Mia of South Sunamganj; and Zara, 7 months, daughter of Zakaria from Sureshnagar area under Bishwambharpur in Sunamganj. With the latest fatalities, the number of children who have died from measles and measles-like symptoms in Sylhet division has risen to 23. According to the DGHS, one new measles case was confirmed through laboratory testing during the same period, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the division to 142. In the 24-hour period, 53 more children with measles-like symptoms were admitted to different hospitals across the division in the last 24 hours. As of Friday morning, a total of 241 children were undergoing treatment at hospitals and health complexes across the division, with the highest number. Health officials said laboratory testing facilities remain limited in Sylhet, and patients showing measles symptoms are being treated initially based on clinical signs. Samples from critically ill patients are being sent to Dhaka for confirmation. The health officials a vaccination campaign targeting around 13.5 lakh children is underway. So far, more than 12.5 lakh children have been vaccinated, covering over 96 percent of the target. The campaign will continue until May 20.

An eight-month-old boy died Sunday after battling measles, as the extent of the outbreak in Bangladesh this year kept growing. Irfan Ahmed, son of Ishtiak Ahmed from the Noorpur area of Kushtia, died at 2pm on Sunday while undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute after a 16-day illness. According to his family, Irfan was first treated at Kushtia Medical College Hospital for seven days before being taken to Dhaka. He was then admitted to the DNCC Hospital, where he received treatment for five days, before being transferred to the Shishu Hospital for more advanced treatment. He was admitted to the ICU last Thursday, but doctors were unable to save him. Meanwhile, Bangladesh recorded eight deaths from measles or measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours leading up to 8:00 am on Sunday.