Bangladesh is facing its worst measles outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March as hospitals struggle with overcrowding, shortages and a steady influx of sick children.
The outbreak has continued despite a nationwide emergency vaccination campaign launched in April.
Health experts say “disruptions to routine immunisation during political turmoil in 2024 and 2025, along with vaccine supply problems, left many children vulnerable.”
More than 166,000 suspected measles cases have been reported, including nearly 20,000 laboratory-confirmed infections.
Also more than 146,000 suspected patients have been hospitalised, according to the Health Ministry. Bangladesh is currently experiencing the world’s largest measles outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts have linked the crisis to gaps in vaccination coverage, weak programme oversight and changes to vaccine procurement under the interim government that replaced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Infants under nine months have been particularly vulnerable because they are too young for routine measles vaccination.
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“Bangladesh missed its measles elimination target because of vaccination gaps in 2024 and 2025,” said Professor Mahmudur Rahman, an epidemiologist and former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research.
“To my knowledge, Bangladesh has never witnessed so many children dying from measles. Nor have we ever seen such a high number of patients in a single year. This is a truly terrible situation, and the saddest part is that the victims are children,” he said.
Hospitals are under further pressure from a surge in dengue cases, with more than 45,000 people admitted for the disease this year. At one major hospital in Dhaka, patient numbers have far exceeded capacity, with some measles patients being treated on the floor.
“Patients are pouring in, and it is very difficult to accommodate everyone,” said Dr. Nanda Dulal Saha, acting director of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.
Families affected by the outbreak have also reported difficulties accessing vaccines and treatment. Mohammad Ripon, whose eight-month-old daughter developed measles-like symptoms, said the family visited several hospitals before finding specialised care.
He said; “We are just hopping around from one hospital to another,” Ripon said. “We are not getting the correct information at all.”
The emergency measles-rubella campaign initially targeted about 18 million children aged six months to under five years. More than 19.7 million children have since been vaccinated, according to the Health Ministry, but experts say stronger routine immunisation and catch-up programmes remain necessary.
Measles is highly contagious but preventable with two doses of vaccine. For families struggling to afford medical care, the outbreak has brought severe financial and emotional strain.
Reuters
