Suspected measles cases kill nearly 1,000 as Bangladesh struggles to contain outbreak
Summary
Bangladesh is facing a large measles outbreak that has killed nearly 1,000 children this year. The country has launched emergency vaccination campaigns but continues to see a high number of suspected and confirmed cases.Key Facts
- Nearly 1,000 children have died from suspected measles cases in Bangladesh in 2026.
- Since March, over 166,000 suspected measles cases were reported, with 19,835 confirmed by lab tests.
- Bangladesh started an emergency vaccination program in March to stop the outbreak, focusing first on children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes fever, rash, and breathing problems, and can be fatal for young children.
- Vaccinating 95% of the population is needed to stop measles from spreading and protect those too young or unable to be vaccinated.
- The outbreak worsened after pandemic disruptions and political problems slowed down vaccination efforts in Bangladesh.
- Families are traveling long distances to get specialized treatment for sick children in crowded hospitals in Dhaka.
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